<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

It seems there is no simple cure or treatment for Oral Lichen Planus. I have gone off diary to see if it makes any difference. I will let you know later if that helps.
 
Here are the responses I received regarding the above subject and thank you all for writing to me. 

 I was diagnosed with LP on my gums a few  years ago.  I think I may also now 
have a reaction on my arms and legs.  The way it was explained to me at that 
time is that it is an immune response to stress or some medications.  It can 
flare up and then totally disappear.   My dentist keeps a check on it and 
recently said I was having a flare-up.   While I don't think it is related to CD I 
understand that once someone has one immune disorder she is more 
susceptible to have others than the general population.   I am seeing my 
dermatologist next week and hope she will verify.  My prior experience was 
with a biopsy of my gums done by an oral surgeon who then said he knew 
nothing about it and to see a dermatologist.  I hope this helps you and please 
summarize or email me anything else you find out.      

      re symptoms on diet - is the house gluten free?  Are you reading information on forums like celiac.com?  have you joined a local support group?  It is really not easy to be completely GF & you need to keep up with all the hidden sources.  For instance Quaker Rice Cakes are not GF - although you cannot tell that by the label. Have you given up dairy & soy?

      In my extended family, mouth ulcers are more often from milk
      than from wheat. ANY IgA type allergy could cause them, I think ...
      I believe the root cause is autoimmune IGA that attacks the
      cheek cells. That said though, the IgA doesn't go away immediately
      when you stop eating wheat. If there is wheat in your environment
      at all, your body will stay on alert, which is why it's important, esp.
      at the beginning, to get all of it out of your environment. Which
      can be next to impossible, so it takes a long while to heal.

      Switching toothpastes can help a lot. Some toothpastes have stuff
      in them that disrupts the coating on you cheeks, and allows the
      tissues to get attacked. Crest is noted for that one! I switched to
      Neem bark, which actually makes my teeth feel cleaner and doesn't
      mess with the coatings, I think.

      I sometimes still get mouth ulcers if my acidity/alkalinity is off kilter 
      despite the gf diet, particularly when lemonade is involved and ice coffees. 
      Try alkalinizing with ACV or salt water gargles for this.

      It has been five years for me.  Initially I did everything I could
      to fix the mouth pain but to no avail.  I went for almost a year to a
      "specialist", had ct scans, food allergy testing, tried numerous
      supplements.  I am at a complete loss.  Monday I have my yearly check up
      with my diagnosing Dr.  I am going to discuss my mouth again, along with my
      other intestinal complaints.  I am going to ask him about the proper PH of a
      body and how to get there i.e. probiotics and enzymes.  I will certainly
      share if I get anything.  I know your frustration not to mention discomfort.

      I've had the problem for almost ten years.  I have tried probiotics, zinc, fish oil and all kinds of stuff.  Sometimes it is hardly noticeable and other times the areas really swell.  I haven't found what makes it better.  But if you ever do , keep me in mind and let me know.  I have tried a regular MD, chiropractor, Acupuncturist, nutritionist and a traditional Chinese physician.  I work for an alternative physician and he has offered many ideas and they all help for a while but then the areas come back.  The traditional Chinese person helped me the most.

      Are you very, strictly gluten free? Do you eat oats? Are you allergic
      to dairy proteins? I was interested in lichen planus for some time, and
      tried to be in touch with anyone who posted about it in connection with a GF
      diet. I don't have lichen planus myself, but everyone I know who has it and
      is strictly GF, avoids oats, and avoids dairy protein seems to get complete
      relief from it. 

      I have not seen a connection, but that does not mean there is not one. Mayo says that food allergies can be a problem. Perhaps you are reaction to more than just gluten? Another possibility is gluten contamination. I have been fooled. I am very strict with my diet and I was getting gluten from handling and breathing in dust from wild bird seed. I know a woman who was not healing and then discovered one of her medications contained gluten. You may want to go over everything for possible gluten exposure - it can sneak in. 


      Here is the Mayo site http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/oral-lichen-planus/DS00784/DSECTION=causes

       I had oral lichen planus and still have an occasional bout with it.  No one was ever able to help me, but I found a toothpaste and mouthwash that really made a huge difference.  It's called Biotene - I'm including their website -http://www.biotene.net/products/index.asp

      You may still have a vitamin deficiency, despite being on a GF diet. There is a doctor in NY city who specializes in celiac-related vulvar problems (such as lichen sclerosis) which I think have similar manifestations to oral lichen planus. She may be knowledged in how to cure oral lichen planus. Her name is Dr. Monica Peacocke and the phone number is 646-672-0528.
      I continued to have oral lichen planus problems until I switched to Arm & Hammer plain toothpaste.  








     

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