Diagnosed with Lichen Planus - afraid of hair loss

Posted , 6 users are following.

I was diagnosed about six weeks ago (after biopsy) with symptoms starting five months ago. My LP is pretty much all over my body now, and I'm going to try some of the holistic remedies mentioned on this site. (By the way, the week before the first lesions appeared on my abdomen, I had been to an Aveda hair salon and gotten my hair dyed. During that process, I reacted strongly to the dye. I was coughing, my eyes were tearing, the product hurt my scalp. I had never reacted like that before. I recently found studies, mostly in Britain but also America, that established a correlation between lichen planus and PPD, the active ingredient in hair dye. Furthermore, my stylist admitted to me that she used a strong, non-Aveda hair color on me because of my dark hair. She said that Aveda products (2% PPD) don't work well on dark hair. I could think of no other trigger because I don't take medication, and I eat very healthy. Maybe I can't know, but there is evidence to support my suspicion.) I can't see lesions on my scalp, but it is very itchy (bilaterally, which is strange), and it looks like I have dandruff. Is this just the start of LPP?

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8 Replies

  • Posted

    i have lichen scolorous all over me. just have gotten the sores cleared up on my bottom and now i have it all over my body except my head. they give me a anti itch pill to take because it itches so bad. plus being on this site you will learn alot. For my bottom when it itches i sat in a sitz bath with borax and soda and i sat 10 to 15 minutes and it really does help. i go tomorrow to see my dermatologist for this . i usually get a blood test and they give me nw medicine . the medicine seems to work but it makes my mouth really dry. i hope this will help you but i have those white spots all over me.

    • Posted

      hi brenda

      sorry to hear you suffer with this too it is so frustrating, do you have it on your face, i have a few bumps on mine and i really an so embarrased about them x

    • Posted

      Hi Karen,

      I had a few bumps on my face too. Two on the left, two on the right. For whatever reason, the two on the right just went away (after about six weeks probably). I didn't use any medication on my face at all. Only unscented soap and Vanicream. I think the bumps on the left are smaller as well. Hang in there.

    • Posted

      thank you for your quick reply jr, ive had mine for years, honestly this lp and the doctors don't seem concerned about it, there are different causes for it and different types of lp, mine started after an abnormal smear test years ago which i had colposcopy, and they are caused by a virus

      i am a hairdresser and always colour my hair, i think like everthing else things stop and start due to the cells moving around, im 61.

  • Posted

    Hi

    It sounds as if it is on your scalp, mine is very itchy. Hair loss is worrying, I have to get my hubby to de-hair my clothes, and the hair loss is quite bad, I've had it now for 2yrs and it doesn't grow back

    • Posted

      Linda, may I ask about the progression of your condition? Did the hair loss start right away or did lesions appear on other parts of your body first? Thanks for replying!

  • Posted

    I'm so sorry you have this dreaded rash. I've had for over a year and it's hell. Please don't give up. I'm posting about my journey on this thread. Skin Lichen Planus and St. Johns Wort. Good luck!

    • Posted

      Thanks, MsParis! What a bummer that you've already been struggling with this for a year and a half! I've read that it often clears up after 9 months, but this forum is making me doubt that. Of course, I'd rather brace myself for the long road. I am going to order St. John's Wort because the medications aren't working. I also made an appointment with a new dermatologist. So far, I've only seen a PA who doesn't seem to have much experience with LP. I'm telling myself not to give up, but I'm feeling quite depressed. Hard not to wallow in self-pity.

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