Is OLP a type of fungus

Posted , 8 users are following.

I was diagnosed with OLP about 6 months ago. I've found not many know about this and am getting mixed messages.  I've seen an oral health specialist who says there's no cure and it will eventually go away but offered no remedies. I've seen a naturopath who told me it's a type of fungus but from researching online I can't see that information anywhere.  I had chemo a few years ago and I have some mild arthritis so I realise there is some immune system problems that have probably caused it.  My naturopath wants to treat it as a fungus... says no sugar, no sugar, no sugar! eat healthy, etc and prescribed mouth washes with either t-tree oil, probiotic powder, or even coconut oil.  I think it may be helping as the OLP is mild, no ulcers. 

0 likes, 22 replies

22 Replies

Prev
  • Posted

    Your naturopath might be working from the perspective that it's related to candida. It's still unknown what causes it and there isn't much as far as remedies go either. From what I've read on this site, it seems to hit women more than men, and usually after 40.

    One think I was prescribed by an oral specialist who works with this condition is Lycopene @8mg/day. This is available at the pharmacy, usually in their vitamins and herbs section... no prescription needed.

    Try the diet your naturopath recommends and see if that helps.You may need to give it a few months though.

    There also seems to be a connection between OLP and vegetables from the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, etc) so you might also want to keep an eye on your consumption of those.

    Best of luck!

     

    • Posted

      I agree that the nightshade vegetables seem to be a trigger...they are all inflammatory and I found that giving them noticeabley reduced the amount of inflammation in my mouth.
  • Posted

    Hi Gail

    Hope your keeping well great to hear your in remission, your obviously doing something right, do you have LP anywhere else ?

    Take care x. Karen

    • Posted

      Hi Karen, no don't have anywhere else.  My oral health specialist says it's best to check every 6 to 12 months because of the risk of it turning into cancer.  He's booked me in to do a biopsy (small sample taken from gum) in August, but I'm hesitant to go through it.  I think I've only got a mild case and no complications.  Wonder if anyone else has had a biopsy?
    • Posted

      Hi Gail,  I've had two biopsies...and they weren't too painful.  However, both mine came back inconclusive and I'm to have a 3rd...but am hesitant as I've seen improvement since changing my diet and adding some supplements. They want to do the biopsies to make certain you don't have a more serious disease...primarily benign membrane mucosa pemphigoid...a very nasty disease that can possibly go to your eyes and cause blindness. So they want to eliminate this possibility as if it is this you need to also have regular eye check ups.  Mine has been leaning that way...but now is much improved...so I'm going to wait a bit before going under the knife again..
    • Posted

      I think toni's post is interesting.  Vitamin D3 is often a deficiency also linked to this disease.
  • Posted

    Following a tongue biopsy I was diagnosed with OLP two years ago and suffered almost constantly until 6 weeks ago when i went to GP as both my legs had gone numb as well as fatigue and shortness of breath.  I was tested for B12 deficiancy and required B12 injections, 3 per week for two weeks.  Following only the 2nd injection my tongue has completely cleared up. i was able to use mint toothpaste and eat spicy foods and drink hot drinks immediately.  I am also ceoliac, so i cannnot recommend highly enough about be checked for B12. I will probaby have the injections once every 3 months for rest of life, but that's a short price to pay.  The nerve damage in my legs has seen a small improvement too. 

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.