Lichen Planus
Lichen planus is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system attacks the skin. While it can affect various areas of the body, one of the most common and recognizable body parts it strikes is the tongue.
The exact cause of lichen planus is not known. However, it appears to be an autoimmune condition, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue by mistake. Studies suggest that this disease may be triggered by an infection (such as herpes simplex virus), stress, or hormones.
Treatment for a sore tongue caused by LP depends on the severity of the symptoms. If you have mild discomfort in your mouth, adding more saliva when you eat and avoiding certain foods, such as spicy foods and citrus fruits, may help alleviate your symptoms. If your symptoms are more severe, you can apply an over-the-counter steroid cream to your tongue twice daily and take antihistamines to reduce inflammation and relieve itching and burning.
