How is lichen planus treated?

Topical corticosteroids and oral antihistamines are used to ameliorate the pruritus in mild cases. Hypertrophic lesions may not respond to topical treatment and instead may require intralesional corticosteroids. The optimal treatment of severe disease is difficult to determine since the studies regarding treatment have been primarily anecdotal or consist of small series. The most commonly used treatment is systemic corticosteroids, but variable degrees of success have also been reported with topical calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus and pimectrolims), psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) light therapy, narrow-band ultraviolet B (UVB) light therapy, oral retinoids (isotretinoin and acitretin), griseofulvin, methotrexate, cyclosporine, sulfasalazine, and thalidomide.

Omidian M, Ayoobi A, Mapar M, et al: Efficacy of sulfasalazine in the treatment of generalized lichen planus: randomized doubleblinded clinical trial on 52 patients, J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, Feb 10, 2010 (Epub ahead of print).