Oral Lichen Planus and Celiac disease

[Alice Goodland]

I have been diagnosed with Celiac for 20 years and follow a rigid gluten-free diet.  But I was also diagnosed with Oral Lichen Planus a few years ago, at which time it  "flared" only once or twice a year.   However in the past year it has become chronic and I am constantly in the need of various forms of steroid treatments to soothe my mouth.   Recently an Oral Surgeon did a biopsy...confirmed it as LP and not cancer...prescribed a pill for my dry mouth condition.     The linings of my cheeks and inner lips are in a constant state of inflammation and sores with my gums and tongue starting to be affected.  I am at my wits end!   I've cut out,not only gluten of course, but spices and acidic foods.   I'm looking for ANY new ideas or thoughts on what I might try....as I dont want to increase any steroids.    Oral Lichen Planus is also an auto-immune disease and I wonder if it is related to my Celiac.   I am a 75 yr old female.

[GFinDC]

HI Alice,

There should be some info in the articles this search found.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS873US873&sxsrf=ACYBGNSa-1yH0rLNmkUGX7BJtJAGQjeKDg%3A1577757273996&ei=WaoKXvO4PJW3tQab2YHoDg&q=oral+lichen+planus+celiac+disease&oq=oral+lichen+planus+celiac&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0j0i22i30j0i333l2.22486.24177..27491...0.2..1.664.2291.0j2j3j5-2......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j0i67j0i20i263.XOS38feNbYE

You could try eliminating some other foods from your diet.  Dairy, soy, nightshades, corn, eggs, celery, etc, any of the common food allergens can cause problems.

https://erudus.com/14-major-food-allergens-for-eu-food-information-for-consumers/

[GFinDC]

Here's a thread form 2018 that talks about lichen planus.

 

[knitty kitty]

On 12/30/2019 at 9:09 AM, Alice Goodland said:

I have been diagnosed with Celiac for 20 years and follow a rigid gluten-free diet.  But I was also diagnosed with Oral Lichen Planus a few years ago, at which time it  "flared" only once or twice a year.   However in the past year it has become chronic and I am constantly in the need of various forms of steroid treatments to soothe my mouth.   Recently an Oral Surgeon did a biopsy...confirmed it as LP and not cancer...prescribed a pill for my dry mouth condition.     The linings of my cheeks and inner lips are in a constant state of inflammation and sores with my gums and tongue starting to be affected.  I am at my wits end!   I've cut out,not only gluten of course, but spices and acidic foods.   I'm looking for ANY new ideas or thoughts on what I might try....as I dont want to increase any steroids.    Oral Lichen Planus is also an auto-immune disease and I wonder if it is related to my Celiac.   I am a 75 yr old female.

Welcome, Alice!

My mom had oral lichen planus, Celiac Disease and thyroid problems.  Seems several autoimmune diseases are carried along with the Celiac genes. 

Some vitamin deficiencies are associated with lichen planus.  The B-complex vitamins, especially thiamine, riboflavin, B12, B6, and folate, and Vitamins A and D, zinc, and Vitamin C are often low.  Celiac Disease makes it harder to absorb nutrients, so supplementing is sometimes beneficial, especially when we're experiencing other health issues and have a higher metabolic need for certain vitamins and minerals.

Talk to your doctor about checking for deficiencies and supplementing your diet.  You might want to get your thyroid checked by your doctor, too.

Best wishes,

Knitty Kitty

 

[Bichongirl44]

Since I last wrote about my OLP I now have been told it's the erosive type and I also have it in my vulva and vagina (as well as Lichen Sclerosus in vulval area ) and I am being checked every 3 months. The only medication I have been given is Clobetasol Cream for mouth and ointment for vulva....I have read that in UK there is a mouth wash that contains Dexamethasone, but in OZ it is not available!!!  I rinse my mouth with warm salty water, but it does help..it flares up and down, 2 weeks in between flares....the local docs seem to think its some sort of syndrome...I am sorry I haven't got anything helpful to suggest to help you.....I have done a bit of research and if you have hypothyroidism its seems to be connectes.I have Hashimotos  as well .....one thing when my mouth is realy l bad I have lots of plain Greek Yoghurt...my gums have been affected as well, and they bleed often, so I use a very soft toothbrush
Betty

 

 

[cyclinglady]

Have anyone considered the following besides recommended  medication?  

1.  Cleansing with water after urinating (like a rinsing bottle given in the hospital after childbirth)

2.  Local Vaginal estrogen cream to improve skin tissue

https://www.clinicaladvisor.com/home/topics/ob-gyn-information-center/vulvar-lichen-sclerosus-breaking-the-silence/

3.  Autoimmune Paleo diet to help insure gluten free and reduce general autoimmune induced inflammation 

https://thepaleodiet.com/paleo-diet-q-a-lichen-sclerosis-stevia/amp/

https://www.livestrong.com/article/535308-foods-to-avoid-with-lichen-sclerosus/

4.  Do not eat out until symptoms improve.  

Just some thoughts.  I am grappling with dealing with three autoimmune issues and trying to avoid developing more.  

 

Edited January 7, 2020 by cyclinglady

[knitty kitty]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6031815/

Thiamine, B12 (cobalamine), B6 (pyridoxine), Vitamins A, and C are used as treatment. 

Celiac Disease causes malabsorption which results in malnutrition.  Please get checked for vitamin deficiencies!

[Bichongirl44]

1 hour ago, knitty kitty said:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6031815/

Thiamine, B12 (cobalamine), B6 (pyridoxine), Vitamins A, and C are used as treatment. 

Celiac Disease causes malabsorption which results in malnutrition.  Please get checked for vitamin deficiencies!

Dear Knitty Kitty, thank you SO much for your advice....I have been using Ovestin Cream and am taking Mega B vitamins, as well as Vit d, Magnesium,and probiotics....but the dentist I went to today is trying to find out about some sort of mouthwash he has heard of.....I go back in a month to him.....he also said he thinks I probably have Sjorgrens, dry mouth etc....so I have my fingers crossed...thank you for the links on OLP etc....they were very interesting . Thanks again

Betty S

[Leslie Elsner]

Dear Alice - I see it’s a few years ago so hopefully you got the answers you were searching for. I had a biopsy today from down below that appears to be lichen sclerosis I’ve been celiac since 94 and after a bout with acute pancreatitis a year ago really fine tuned my healthy diet or so I thought. If the LS diagnosis is confirmed my guess is the symptoms and flare are related to what I have been eating baby spinach salad 4-5 days a week, quinoa and other gluten-free grains raspberries peppers and a nice variety of white potatoes and brown rice what’s the connection? All high in oxalates which affect inflammation and  have been known to add to a flare of symptoms .. I recently asked an endodontist to check the roof of my mouth for any signs of patch skin told him after I eat spinach one particular area feels no longer smooth if I run my tongue up against that specific area feels patchy but almost impossible for me to see told him I cut out immediately high oxalates after my recent gyn visit and right away he mentioned oral Lichen and checked with no findings .. since I altered the diet to low oxalates not only has the palette issue not returned but the lower itching has stopped as well. Will be interesting to see what the tissue biopsy shows but I’m my Google search and diet alteration I think I already have my answer. A change in Oxalates won’t eliminate the condition because like celiac it’s an autoimmune thing but from what I’ve read it can reduce a flare hope this finds its way to you and is helpful