What is the recommended treatment for symptomatic lichen planus?

The recommended treatment for symptomatic lichen planus is corticosteroids. This condition often leads to inflammation and can cause discomfort or pain, particularly in areas such as the skin and mucous membranes. Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications that work by suppressing the immune response and reducing inflammation. Applying topical corticosteroids can alleviate symptoms significantly by targeting the affected areas directly.

In cases where topical treatments may not suffice, systemic corticosteroids can also be an option to provide relief from more widespread or severe manifestations of the disease. This approach helps in managing symptoms effectively and facilitating healing, making corticosteroids the preferred treatment for symptomatic relief of lichen planus.

While other treatments exist, such as antihistamines or immunosuppressants, they do not address the symptoms of lichen planus as specifically or effectively as corticosteroids do. Topical analgesics may offer temporary relief but do not target the underlying inflammatory process.