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Diet for lichen planus

Posted , 57 users are following.

carolyn81368
carolyn81368

Sometimes it's hard to figure out what foods cause LP flare-ups. I'm beginning to think cheese is a problem. Any suggestions?

7 likes, 88 replies

88 Replies

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  • sweetsingeruk
    sweetsingeruk carolyn81368

    Posted

    I have Vulvar LS and OLP and I've found that giving up nightshades, such as peppers and tomatoes prevents me from getting painful blisters. I can eat some, such as potatoes and aubergines (eggplant), in moderation, but I get instant flare-ups in my mouth and down below if I eat any kind of pepper, such as chilli, bell peppers, paprika, cayenne, etc, not including peppercorns, thank goodness, so I use ground black or white pepper for spice. I can't eat Okra or Sharon fruit (persimmon). Some cheeses and chocolates make my mouth sore, so I only eat the ones which don't. And I can't eat any kind of seafood, which I love! I've discovered that strawberries work well in place of tomatoes in salads wink

    This thing is different for everyone who has it, it seems. I hope we find a cure that helps us all soon x

  • Guest
    Guest carolyn81368

    Posted

    I am so thrilled to find others with this nasty stuff. I was recently told by my dentist I have LP. I have no insurance so can’t go to the doctor. I’m just trying to figure out what I can do. I am beyond grateful for any advice. 
    • mary77380
      mary77380 Guest

      Posted

      Yes it is very nasty, I am so sorry for anyone dealing with it! Here is what I have learned from my own experience...I have only had to deal with the oral type (erosive at some points)...

      avoid: spicy foods, citrus fruits (lemon and lime are especially harsh for me); salsa, tomatoes and tomato sauces (I can tolerate in small amounts); crispy, salty foods (again, small amounts are ok for me); sharp cheese, feta cheese, and provolone cause problems for me so i only consume in small amounts; too much mustard, ketchup also are irritating... caffeine can be a trigger...keep that in mind. I cannot tolerate green tea at all. Do Not use NSAIDS -Ibuprofen wreaks havoc on me! Make sure to avoid thiazides (a diuretic that is common in some blood pressure medications). other chemicals associated with LP are: gold, antibiotics, arsenic, iodides, chloroquinine, quinacrine, quinidine, antimony.

      See a good dermatologist, even for mouth issues...dentists seem clueless, as do PCP's! It might help to ask beforehand if they are experienced with Lichen Planus. I have had great success with oral cortisone injections in the past...haven't required any in years. They can prescribe Triamcinolone dental paste (a steroid) to apply to oral areas of discomfort. You can also try "Chloraseptic max" sore throat spray to alleviate mouth pain, i have also used "Oragel".

      Stress reduction is a must also! Deep breathing, staying hydrated, exercising, sleeping well all help. Sam-E (200 mg/ day), and GABA 750 mg /day, has helped me stay positive, along with melatonin 1mg for sleep.

      Thank goodness for sites such as this, I wish this was all common knowledge! It amazes me how little the medical and dental professions know about this painful condition. Sometimes I feel as if I have this weird, freaky illness that no one has ever heard of, and it is quite isolating because of that. Sadly, al lot of people must suffer in silence...: (

      Good luck to all, I hope this is helpful ... 

    • anne13482
      anne13482 mary77380

      Posted

      It seems, from reading the dietry postings, that each persons dietry triggers (apart from the obvious e.g. tomatoes; acidic foods etc.,) vary from person to person.  My own worry is that I cannot eat solid food at all.  The roof of my mouth and cheeks are so sore.  I've turned down invites because of the embarrassment of having to eat 'slop' with a slow, almost mouth open chew to prevent any food scouring my mouth.   I haven't eaten a solid meal for weeks now.   As for not getting stressed... I've gone from being an 'easy-osy,' relaxed person to a depressed, stressed mess!  I appear calm and ok on the outside and inside I am just so frustrated and anxious.   I can't use toothpaste (brush with salt and water) and my teeth look horrid now.  As there is no medicinal cure I see no purpose in visiting the doctor.   I get pain killers etc,. over the counter.   I just hope that in time (soon) I can see some improvement.  I do relaxation breathing but find immersing myself reading, painting, walking etc., works best.   How has everyone else coped with the mental impact of this torment?

    • mary_pooh
      mary_pooh anne13482

      Posted

      Please don't give up I have been eating soggy bland food for over a year but that's better than foods that hurt!! I'm getting relief from flixonase s Nystatin together as mouth rinse seeing a top doc in guys London so there is hope also use a toothpaste which is unflavoured from oranurse (online) eBay please try my suggestions xxxxxxxxxx

    • anne13482
      anne13482 mary_pooh

      Posted

      Hi Mary, so sorry for not acknowledging your response sooner. I thought there was no response because the notices had gone into 'trash!'

      Had a biopsy last week and OLP has kicked off big time! Consultant said OLP was very extensive. Tell me about it 😃) But offered no advice other than use salt mouth washes between brushing. He didn't want to go down the steroidal treatment path unless it was absolutely necessary i.e. if the pain became unbearable or my throat and gullet swelled and I couldn't get food down at all!

      Did you ask to be referred to the Doc in London? Or do you actually live there? Is your mouth responding well to the treatment?

      Now going to look for Oranurse - thanks for the info. Anne.

  • lynne15342
    lynne15342 carolyn81368

    Posted

    Hi Carolyn I have had lichen Planus for over a year. There are so many things I cannot eat chocolate is one of them ... I keep to foods that don’t irritate my mouth . I’m also under Eastman dental hospital in London... its all trial & error :: Just recently started on my body .

  • diane45044
    diane45044 carolyn81368

    Posted

    Hi, I’ve found that avoiding white carbs ie sugar, and grey carbs ie potatoes, pasta,bread, pastry, cous cous, etc...the starchy element of our meals, has made a huge difference. I eat only green carbs ie heaps of fresh multicoloured vegetables and fruits(mainly berries)

    My condition has gone.

    Also...keep calm, avoid stressful situations. If you can’t change something that’s upsetting you..change the way you feel about it. Stress is the trigger for so many ills. Relax where you can, and the rest of the time keep a healthy perspective on life, don’t let silly little things get you down, stay peaceful.

    Your body loves a calm and happy environment, be good to yourself.

  • ruth30498
    ruth30498 carolyn81368

    Posted

    tashyatee's reply, below, speaks to several things I have experienced; and I am especially glad to read what tashyatee has experienced with OLP.

    below Mary77380 writes about several different things: in particular you mention seeing a good dermatologist ... and that dentists seems clueless. OK I am curious. I am in the US, where medical doctors and dentists never talk to each other; this goes back to some event c1838 when dentists and doctors agreed never to talk to each other again. Period. And indeed they never have so far as I can tell. This has serious and often quite negative consequences for me, for lots and lots of people.

    A really very good and very bright dentist, a young man with a lot of compassion intermingled with realism, made the OLP diagnosis for me. It was done with a biopsy of cheek tissue from inside my mouth. ouch. I have a medical doctor or two I see for regular check-ups. In my late 70s, I have some health issues that it is important to keep track of. The medical doctors are totally mindless with regard to dentist+cancer lab diagnosis of lichens planus ... they don't understand or barely understand how painful it is ... etc etc. Well, you all know this drill I am sure. I don't believe any of them would think of sending me to a dermatologist. And if they did, I also think that a dermatologist would probably run for the hills before looking into the mouth that belongs to a dentist.

    Has anyone had any experience with so much confused thinking or not? I hope not, but am also very curious.

  • eric3435
    eric3435 carolyn81368

    Posted

    I've had Lichen Planopilaris on my scalp for over a year.  I have seen that dairy products cause flare ups.

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