Lichen Planus Explained: Types, Signs, and Healing Approaches

Ever noticed unusual white patches in your mouth, itchy bumps on your skin, or changes in your nails and wondered what’s happening? It could be Lichen Planus (LP), a condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks your own cells, causing inflammation in the skin, mouth, scalp, or nails. You might see white or red patches in your mouth, purple bumps on your skin, thinning hair on your scalp, or ridges and splitting in your nails.

This blog will help you understand the different types of Lichen Planus, the symptoms to watch out for, and simple ways to take care of your mouth, scalp, and nails. If you notice any of these signs, reach out to us. At iThrive, we do a root cause analysis to find the real reasons behind these changes and offer long-term solutions that help you manage Lichen Planus effectively while supporting your overall health.

What is Lichen Planus (LP)?

Lichen Planus is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that happens when your immune system starts attacking your own skin and mucous cells by mistake. This reaction leads to inflammation, which can show up on different parts of the body like the mouth, scalp, nails, or skin.

It’s not an infection or something that spreads from one person to another. Rather, it’s your immune system reacting in the wrong way and that’s why finding the root cause is so important. The exact reason behind Lichen Planus isn’t always clear, but several factors can trigger the autoimmune response like stress, genetic tendency, certain medicines, infections like Hepatitis C, poor gut health, or hormonal imbalance may all play a role in triggering it. Even long-term inflammation in the body can set the stage for it.

Even though it’s not contagious, Lichen Planus can cause discomfort, irritation, and affect confidence, especially when it involves visible areas like the scalp or nails. Understanding what’s happening inside your body is the first step toward managing this condition in a healthy, natural way.

Types of Lichen Planus

1. Oral Lichen Planus (Mouth)

What it is:

‍Oral Lichen Planus is a type of autoimmune disorder that affects your mouth. It’s one of the most common forms of Lichen Planus and can sometimes last for months or even years if not treated properly.

You might notice thin, white, lacy patches also known as Wickham's striae, small red bumps, or painful sores inside your mouth. These are usually seen on the inner cheeks, gums, tongue, or lips. In some cases, they may not hurt but can make your mouth look uneven, while in others, they cause a burning or stinging feeling especially when eating spicy or hot foods.

Common symptoms:

Burning or soreness while eating or brushing.
Sensitivity to spicy, hot, or acidic foods.
A dry feeling in the mouth or changes in taste.
White patches that don’t scrape off easily.
Red, swollen areas or shallow ulcers.

Simple care tips:

Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid hurting sensitive areas.
Use mild toothpaste and alcohol-free mouthwash to prevent dryness or burning. You can also use essential oil for the same.
Avoid foods that can irritate your mouth, like spicy curries, citrus fruits, or very salty snacks.
Rinse your mouth with water after meals to keep it clean and reduce the risk of infection.
Stay hydrated as dry mouth can worsen irritation and discomfort.
Manage stress through meditation, breathing exercises, or light activities you enjoy. Stress is one of the biggest triggers for autoimmune flare-ups.
Visit your dentist regularly for gentle cleaning and early detection of changes.
Maintain dental hygiene practices like ozone water gargling.

If you notice painful sores or white patches that don’t heal within a few weeks, don’t ignore them. Many times, even when you visit a doctor, you might be prescribed oral gels or medicines that help with pain or inflammation. While these can give temporary relief, the symptoms often come back once the medicines stop.

To truly heal, it’s important to understand why this is happening in the first place. Through our Root Cause Analysis (RCA), we identify what’s really causing Oral Lichen Planus. Don’t just manage Oral Lichen Planus, heal it from the root. Book your RCA with iThrive today.

2. Scalp Lichen Planus (Lichen Planopilaris)

What it is:

Scalp Lichen Planus, also known as Lichen Planopilaris, is a form of Lichen Planus that affects the scalp and hair follicles. In people with Scalp Lichen Planus, the body’s defense system gets confused and starts reacting to its own hair follicle cells as if they’re foreign invaders, leading to inflammation, redness, itching, and gradual hair loss. If not treated on time, it can even cause scarring, which prevents new hair from growing back.

You may notice patches of hair thinning, red or scaly spots, and constant itching or burning on certain areas of your scalp. Sometimes, these patches feel sore or tender to touch. This condition can be emotionally distressing because of visible hair loss, but understanding the cause can make a big difference in recovery.

Common symptoms:

Itching or burning sensation on the scalp.
Red, scaly, or inflamed patches.
Gradual hair thinning or bald spots.
Pain or tenderness in certain scalp areas.
Scarring or shiny skin where hair stops growing.

Simple care tips:

Avoid harsh shampoos or chemical hair products, as they can worsen irritation.
Massage your scalp gently instead of scratching when it feels itchy.
Keep your scalp clean using mild, natural shampoos with ingredients like aloe vera or tea tree.
Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins to support healthy hair growth.
Manage stress, since emotional pressure often flares up autoimmune issues.
Avoid tight hairstyles or frequent heat styling that can irritate the scalp further.

If you notice patchy hair loss or constant itching that doesn’t improve, it’s important to take action early. Many people try topical creams or medicated shampoos that bring temporary relief, but the problem keeps returning because the underlying cause remains untreated.

At iThrive, we go beyond symptoms. Through our Root Cause Analysis (RCA), we help you find out why your immune system is attacking your scalp, whether it’s due to hormonal imbalance, gut inflammation, or nutritional deficiencies. Once we find the reason, we design a personalized healing plan to calm your system and support natural hair recovery.

3. Nail Lichen Planus

What it is:
Nail Lichen Planus affects the nails on your hands or feet and is often overlooked until noticeable changes appear. It happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks the nail matrix, which is the part of your skin responsible for nail growth. This confusion leads to inflammation, causing your nails to become thin, ridged, split, or even fall off in severe cases.

You might first notice tiny grooves, discoloration, or brittleness, and sometimes the skin around the nails becomes tender or swollen. Nail Lichen Planus can affect one nail or several, and while it’s not life-threatening, it can cause pain, discomfort, and affect your daily activities.

Common symptoms:

Ridges, lines, or grooves on the nails.
Thinning, splitting, or breaking of nails.
Discoloration- nails may turn yellow, brown, or dull.
Lifting or separation of the nail from the nail bed.
Tenderness, redness, or swelling around the nails.
In severe cases, complete nail loss.

Simple care tips:

Keep your nails clean, trimmed, and dry to prevent secondary infections.
Avoid nail polish removers or harsh chemicals that weaken nail structure.
Use gentle, non-toxic nail care products and moisturize cuticles regularly.
Wear gloves while doing household chores or when your hands are exposed to detergents.
Eat foods rich in biotin, zinc, vitamin E, and omega-3s to strengthen nails.
Manage stress through calming activities like meditation or journaling

If your nails are changing in color, texture, or strength and don’t improve over time, it’s a sign your body might be signaling something deeper. Many creams or medications only treat the surface, giving short-term improvement.

At iThrive, we look deeper. Through our Root Cause Analysis (RCA), we help you understand why your immune system is attacking your nails, whether it’s a gut imbalance, nutrient deficiency, or autoimmune trigger. Once the cause is known, we design a personalized healing plan to restore immune balance and promote healthy nail growth from the root.

4. Skin Lichen Planus

What it is:

‍Skin Lichen Planus is a type of autoimmune condition that affects the outer layer of your skin. In this case, your immune system gets confused and attacks healthy skin cells, causing inflammation. This leads to purple, flat-topped, itchy patches that may appear anywhere on your body, commonly on the wrists, ankles, back, or lower legs. The patches can sometimes form shiny or scaly surfaces, and scratching may make them sore or even cause small wounds.

You might notice clusters of bumps that are intensely itchy, and over time, these patches can spread or merge. While Skin Lichen Planus isn’t life-threatening, it can be very uncomfortable, interfere with sleep, and affect confidence or daily life.

Common symptoms:

Purple or reddish flat-topped bumps on the skin.
Intense itching that worsens at night.
Small, shiny, or scaly patches.
Dry or flaky skin over affected areas.
Sometimes, skin may develop small blisters or crusts.
Patches that can spread or merge over time.

Simple care tips:

Avoid scratching to prevent infection or scarring.
Use gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers to keep skin hydrated.
Wear soft, breathable clothing to avoid irritation.
Limit exposure to harsh soaps or detergents.
Manage stress with relaxation techniques, as stress often worsens symptoms.
Protect your skin from extreme temperatures, which can trigger flare-ups.

If you notice persistent itchy patches or new spots appearing on your skin, it’s often more than just a surface issue. Many creams or ointments may temporarily soothe symptoms, but the root cause often remains untreated.

At iThrive, we dig deeper. Through Root Cause Analysis (RCA), we identify why your immune system is reacting against your skin, whether it’s linked to stress, gut imbalance, nutrient deficiencies, or other autoimmune triggers. Once the cause is clear, we create a personalized healing plan to calm inflammation, restore skin health, and promote long-term relief from the root.

Struggling with Lichen Planus? Here’s Your Solution

If you are dealing with Lichen Planus, you don’t have to just manage the symptoms, you can heal from the root. Book a free consultation with iThrive today.

iThrive Alive is the disease reversal program designed to help people reclaim their health without relying on lifelong medication. It has helped thousands of clients across India and globally reverse chronic conditions and rebuild their health through root-cause healing.

The journey begins with a comprehensive Root Cause Analysis (RCA), where lab test results and clinical symptoms are interpreted through a functional lens. Once the root imbalances are identified, a personalized healing plan is created, including: