Mrs. S, a 52 years old West Indian lady consulted for Lichen Planus on the 23rd December 1999.

She developed a skin rash on her left foot about 15 months back and spread to feet, both the legs, hands and back in about three months time. It was diagnosed clinically as Lichen Planus and confirmed with a biopsy. It was an extensive form of Lichen Planus affecting about 45% of the body area. It did not affect her mouth or vagina, however. She was complaining of mild itching on the skin.

Other complaints:
She has been a hypertensive patient and has been receiving antihypertensive medication for last five years. She is also diabetic with controlled blood sugar with oral hypoglycemic medicines.

Personal history:
She is a fair skin, average build. She eats well. She desired fish very much. She hated boiled vegetables! Her thirst was average. She would prefer cold more then heat. She would perspire more on back without any strong odor. Her bowels do to move regularly for which she takes herbal purgatives.

She had had hysterectomy four years ago due to uterine fibroids. Her sleep is not sound. She would wake up several times, suddenly. She sleeps on her sides. She does not see peculiar dreams.

Her Family:
She is a housewife. Her family consists of her husband (60 years old, retired), son (31 years old, advertising officer), son (26 years, computer animator), Son ( software engineer, settled in the US), Daughter-in-law, son (20 years)

About her mental sphere and emotions:
She is mild person. She is quite and less communicative. Tends to be sad and reserved. Does not share her feelings with others, does not talk about her problems with others. Keeps her sad emotions within. Dwells on past unpleasant events. When some sad event takes place, recalls the old but similar events and feels the sadness afresh! Tends to have silent grief.

Concerned about family,. Cares for everyone. Sacrificing. Weeps easily, not in presence of others, though. Sheds tears when alone. Does to expect any consolation. However, if consoled sincerely, she feels better.

Kind hearted, helpful, sympathetic. Very systematic in her work, perfectionist. Anxiety about lichen planus.

Past history:
:: Hysterectomy

Family history:
:: Her father had tuberculosis, maternal uncle had cancer of liver.

Past Treatment:
She had used cortisone creams as well as some oral steroids with temporary relieve. Since she is diabetic, she was discouraged to take more oral steroids.

                                 Homoeopathic Treatment
Case Approach:
After the case study as above, the total understanding about the case was gathered. She is an introvert lad with strong emotions harbored within, which has provably given her a tendency to have physical 'let-out'. The Lichen Planus was probably a socialization of her emotional mind-frame. She did not have any specific disturbing event, however, her personify was that of an introvert and self-suffering type.

Based on this theme and incorporating her other physical attributes as described above, a Homoeopathic remedy called Natrum Muriaticum was selected for her as a constitutional remedy.

Natrum Muriaticum was prescribed to her on the 23rd December, 1999 in certain dose. The patient was received a month later, when her itching has reduced drastically but the eruptions remained the same. Her sleep had improved remarkably, which was considered as a good sign of general improvement.

The Lichen Planus eruptions are deep rooted, take time to show changes. The remedy was continued further in appropriate dose for one more month. She was seen again on the 25th March to find that her Lichen Planus was better by over 50%. The medicine was continued for two more months.

All the eruptions disappeared completely. Her treated was terminated. At the time when this case-study is being written (10th April, 2001), we contacted the patient over the telephone to find our the latest status. It was reported that she is completely free from Lichen Planus eruptions. She had no relapse till the date.

This is the case of Mrs. B.M (Patient Ref. No. L-4204) a 44 years old, married housewife who came to the clinic with complaints of lichen planus since about 2 years. She had widespread lesions which had started on her arms and legs and later had spread to the whole of her body. There was intense itching in the affected parts. She had been treated with allopathic medicines and had required admission in the hospital once for control of her lichen planus. She had been put on heavy doses of steroids for the same. Even after discharge from the hospital, patient had to be kept on oral steroids for a long time for control of the LP.
She was a known diabetic since 15 years and was under treatment for the same.

Her appetite and thirst were markedly increased when she reported to us. She had craving for butter and bread and had aversion to sweets. Her menstrual cycles would appear early (every 15 days) after being put on steroids. She had been working as a teacher prior to the onset of the LP. She would get dreams of being pursued and of falling down from the bed. The peculiarities of her personality were that she would get very angry at trifles and her anger would be very violent. She had lot of negative thoughts and insecurity about the financial status of the family. She would react badly to insults and injustice and would be very depressed due to this. She would frequently dwell on past unpleasant events and would weep on account of the same. She would weep only when she was alone and would not like to be consoled.

Based on this history she was prescribed Natrum Muriaticum 200 for the lichen planus. The steroids were gradually tapered off in due course of time and she continued to improve. She was completely cured of the LP in about 2 years and only the hyperpigmented marks remained for which she continued treatment for some more time.