Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 7/16/2009

Question
HELLO DR. CONNER...I HAVE HAD 3 BIOPSIES WHICH REVEAL OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS ORAL LICHEN PLANUS LIMITED TO THE LEFT LATERAL TONGUE/LEUCOPLASIA.  PREDNISONES HAVE NOT HELPED.  IS THERE ANY NATURAL SUPPLEMENT I CAN TRY...BORAX?  I WAS EVEN THINKING OF REPLACING DENTAL MATERIALS ON ADJACENT MOLARS, BUT HAVE ALREADY SPEND THOUSANDS ON NEW BRIDGEWORK, CROWNS AND RETAINERS TO NO AVAIL.  MY REGULAR DENTIST TELLS ME I DO NOT HAVE METALLIC REACTIONS, AND THAT THEY ARE RARE.  WHAT CAN I DO FOR RELIEF.  WOULD LASER SURGERY HELP?  I AM JUST COMING OFF A 13 DAY COURSE OF 40MG PREDNISONE TAPERING TO 10MG, AND HOPE I HAVEN'T HURT MYSELF WITH THIS DRUG, AS IT DID NOT HELP. FINALLY, DO I NEED TO SUPPLEMENT WITH ANYTHING TO HELP MY ADRENALS AND SYSTEM GET BACK TO NORMAL?  THANK YOU

Answer
Hello Jay,
Thanks for your question.  Lichen planus is considered an autoimmune disease, which means that eliminating triggers may often help.  These typically include metal toxicity, other environmental allergies/ exposures, excess stress, food sensitivities, and underlying infections (dental, GI, etc).  Each person's level of sensitivity can vary, and you have to look at all these factors together to come up with a true picture of what may be the cause.  I don't know about the efficacy of laser therapy, but my thinking is that it would not address the underlying problem, although it may provide symptomatic relief.  Topically, licorice is used for oral lesions.  Beta carotene and vitamin A are typical supplements for lichen planus.  The adrenals can be supported using B vitamins, vitamin C, licorice, ginseng, Siberian ginseng, ashwaganda, and other herbs.  If possible, I'd suggest seeing a naturopathic doctor (www.naturopathic.org) near you, because there's many possibilities here, & I think you'd benefit from some individual recommendations.  In health,
Dr Conner