Erosive oral lichen planus

The mouth can sting with citrus, chilli, hot drinks, or toothpaste. Gums may feel sore during brushing, and a raw area can bleed with minor contact. Symptoms often fluctuate, so a clinician may document the location and appearance during visits. Skin findings, including itchy bumps, can accompany oral disease but are not required.

Choose cool or lukewarm soft foods, rinse gently with water after meals, and use a soft brush. Avoid picking at a sore and stop products that clearly trigger burning. A clinician may prescribe a topical corticosteroid for mouth use; severe or widespread inflammation may require oral corticosteroid treatment with monitoring.

Contact a clinician when an ulcer persists, expands, bleeds easily, or keeps returning. Seek urgent help if you cannot maintain fluids, swallowing is difficult, pain is rapidly worsening, or swelling affects breathing. Any persistent focal sore deserves direct examination rather than self-treatment.

Ask whether the pattern is erosive, how long to use the prescribed medicine, what to do after a missed application, and when the mouth should be rechecked.