70% Improvement in Chronic Lichen Planus with Multiple Comorbidities

A 65-year-old female patient (Patient ID: 43061) presented with a chronic case of lichen planus since the last 7-8 years involving multiple mucocutaneous sites, which relapsed in the last 3-4 months. She complained of persistent lesions on the buccal mucosa, gums, inner cheeks, upper palate, and lips. Additional lesions were observed on the left knee, thighs, back (3–4 spots), neck (1 spot), arms (2 spots), bilateral underarms, and right second fingernail. The oral lesions included classic white lacy patches over the gums, accompanied by burning pain and moderate itching, which gets aggravated by hot and spicy foods. A strong familial predisposition was evident, as both her younger brother and elder sister also had a history of lichen planus. 

Past medication: She had been using Tracoz ointment (Steroids) for oral lesions before starting homeopathic treatment. 

Associated Complaints: She had been diagnosed with

1) Type 2 diabetes mellitus 20 years ago, managed with oral hypoglycemics (Tab. Glimi 1 mg OD, Glucovay 50 mg OD, Galvasmet 60+1000 BD).
2) Hypertension for the past 15 years, for which she was on Tab. Telesta AM 40.
3) Bilateral hearing loss for 20 years, using hearing aids for the past 5 years. 
4) Hypothyroidism had been present for 15 years, managed with Thyronorm 25 mg OD.
5) Anxiety neurosis with agoraphobia, panic attacks, intense fear, and insomnia for the past 5–6 years. She was on medications like Zolfresh 5 mg OD, Pregab M 75 mg OD, and Cetelo 10 mg OD. 

Past medical history: Recurrent urinary tract infections over the previous year.
 - Bilateral knee replacement in 2017.

Physical generals: She had no strong cravings or aversions in diet and was postmenopausal. Her sleep was disturbed and entirely dependent on sedatives.
Mental generals:  Happy, spiritual, and emotionally expressive. 
Personal History: The Patient  is a housewife, living with her spouse, children, and grandchildren. She was a practitioner and preacher of the Art of Living, having a spiritually rooted personality. 
Based on her symptomatology and evaluation, Dr. Shah prescribed individualized homeopathic medicine based on his experience.
Follow-ups:
Her first follow up was taken on-  17/06/2020 ,pt was having 50% improvement in her symptoms, although a few new spots occasionally appeared on the forehead, which would fluctuate over a week. 
On 22/08/2020 ,pt was much better ,only few eruptions on scalp which mildly itches,other eruptions were stable.
On 14/02/2021, complaints slightly increased in lesions in the buccal mucosa, but other areas remained stable. 
By 21/12/2021, she showed a 60% improvement in oral lesions, with significantly reduced burning and no worsening in cutaneous sites. 
After consequent follow-up, on 22/08/2024, the patient was having 60–70% improvement, with most skin lesions healed and oral lesions significantly reduced. 
At her most recent follow-up on 21st March 2025, the patient was doing much better, eating regular food (except for more spicy items), and had no active skin lesions. Slight redness of the gums remained, but overall, her condition had stabilized significantly.

Conclusion:
This case illustrates effective long-term management of chronic lichen planus with homeopathic treatment, even in the presence of multiple systemic conditions. The patient’s improvement in quality of life and symptom control highlights the value of homeopathy in treating such difficult autoimmune conditions.

 - Case study by Dr. Shreya Hedaoo, associated doctor to -Dr. Rajesh Shah ,MD (Homo)