Aloe vera as cure for lichen planus

Area of Science:

• Dermatology and Oral Medicine
• Integrative and Complementary Medicine

Background:

• Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting oral mucosa, often presenting with painful lesions.
• Current treatments for OLP provide only partial symptom relief, lacking a definitive cure.
• The chronic nature and limited efficacy of conventional therapies necessitate exploration of alternative treatments.

Observation:

• A 38-year-old male patient presented with severe pain and burning sensations in the mouth, alongside pruritic skin lesions, diagnosed as lichen planus.
• The patient exhibited extensive involvement of both oral mucosa and skin.
• An herbal alternative, aloe vera, was considered due to its minimal adverse effects.

Findings:

• The patient was treated with oral aloe vera juice and topical gel application for two months.
• At a nine-month follow-up, the patient reported complete resolution of intraoral and skin lesions.
• The patient remained symptom-free, indicating a potential cure.

Implications:

• Aloe vera may represent a safe and effective therapeutic option for oral lichen planus and cutaneous lichen planus.
• This case suggests that aloe vera could be a valuable addition to the treatment of lichen planus, offering a natural alternative.
• Further clinical trials are warranted to validate the efficacy and long-term outcomes of aloe vera in managing lichen planus.