Food allergen-mediated exacerbations of oral lichen planus

Erosive oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic autoimmune condition of unknown aetiology, characterized by periods of exacerbation and quiescence. Many patients with OLP report triggers of flares that overlap with triggers of other oral diseases, including oral allergy syndrome (OAS), an IgE-mediated food allergy. We report a case that, to our knowledge, is the first reported case of concurrent OLP and OAS diagnoses, which provides insight into the triggers of OLP and the role of trigger avoidance. A woman in her 60s presented with erosive OLP refractory to prednisone and azathioprine. She reported that certain food exposures triggered flares of her OLP. She was subsequently diagnosed with concurrent OAS, and avoidance of food allergens resulted in a clinically significant improvement in her OLP, eventually allowing her to taper off systemic treatment altogether. Further studies are needed to pinpoint common triggers and examine the role of trigger avoidance as a management strategy for OLP.