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Mayo Clinic has expertise and experience in treating patients who have oral lichen planus (OLP). The condition often requires coordinated treatment by dermatologists, dentists and ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists. Patients with this disease need close monitoring as it carries a risk of developing oral cancer.
People often seek treatment for the symptoms of oral lichen planus from their primary care physician or dentist. After common conditions such as irritations, canker sores or oral yeast infections are ruled out, patients with OLP may be referred to specialists in dermatology or oral medicine. Blood tests, allergy tests and cultures or biopsies are used to try to determine the cause. Many patients also have a characteristic skin rash (bumps on the skin), especially on the forearms. Read more about oral lichen planus diagnosis.
A number of problems can trigger OLP: drug reactions, allergic reactions, reactions to dental fillings, trauma to the mouth or infections. If the cause cannot be corrected or found, topical corticosteroids and topical immune-modifying medicines are the mainstay of treatment for OLP; oral medications also can be used. In many cases, patients can be taught to manage symptoms through self-care methods. Improvement is possible in most cases, usually within three months. Read more about oral lichen planus treatment options.
OLP commonly causes lacy white patches inside the cheeks.
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an inflammatory condition affecting the lining of the mouth. It occurs most often inside the cheeks, but it can affect the gums, tongue, lips and other parts of the mouth. Occasionally it is found in the throat.
OLP commonly causes lacy white patches or raised red mouth sores or ulcers. Some patients have no symptoms, while others experience:
An initial episode of OLP may last for weeks or months and recurrences may continue over many years. OLP affects approximately 1 percent to 2 percent of the population. It usually appears between age 45 and 60, but can occur at any age. Women are twice as likely to get it than men. OLP rarely affects children.
The cause of OLP isn't certain. It is not an infectious disease and it is not contagious. It can be triggered by an allergic reaction to drugs or to chemicals or dental materials touching the mucosal lining of the mouth. Often the source of symptoms can't be determined.
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