Q: I have been suffering from oral lichen planus for more than a year. I have been taking medicines like betnesol, kenacort, candid mouth paint, metronidazole gel, etc. under the guidance of a skin doctor. My condition is not improving. How can I get it treated?

A:Lichen planus is a chronic disease, which will stop after a variable period of time. It is characterised by exacerbations and remissions. Treatment is given to make the affected person as comfortable as is possible with least amount of medicines. If a particular combination does not work it may have to be changed. Under supervision, most medicines are okay. If there is no response to the medicines you are taking, then either the medicines you are taking are inadequate or there may be another superimposed problem.