Eczema and Lichen Planus

We have grouped the two conditions together because the needs and the effort involved in treating them are similar.

Eczema is a broad term used to describe inflammation of the skin, with various causes, presenting erythematous lesions with significant or moderate edema and intense pruritus; scales and pustules may sometimes be present at onset.

While in atopic or contact dermatitis, as well as in eczema, the body's response is most often mediated by the histaminergic system, lichen planus is a specific dermatosis, often triggered by certain factors that prompt the body to respond through the specific immune system, producing purple skin lesions with intense or moderate pruritus on areas of the body's skin, whereas in the oral cavity and the genital area ulcerative lesions form and later develop into scar tissue; both forms affecting the mucous membranes being painful on touch, on contact with food, or with physical contact.

Lichen planus is, in fact, a form of eczema, a neurodermatitis characterized by thickening of the skin and intense itching, caused by repetitive scratching.

Causes and features

Eczema (in its initial form in the infant or child it is called childhood atopic dermatitis) is a general term that covers several conditions, such as:

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory condition, often hereditary, linked to allergies (asthma, rhinitis) and caused by a defective epidermal barrier.

Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory reaction to an allergen or irritant and resolves once contact with the substance ceases.

Neurodermatitis is a form of eczema, often triggered by stress, anxiety, or trauma, that leads to intense scratching, which thickens the skin.

Lichen planus is a distinct dermatosis, characterized by specific lesions in the form of purple or reddish rashes, sometimes scaly, that can affect the skin, the inside of the oral cavity (oral lichen planus), the nails, and the genital area.

Causes

It is caused by an aberrant immune response, in which immune cells attack a protein in the skin.

Common symptoms

They may present inflamed lesions and itching.

Differences

Lichen planus: purple lesions, often with a pearly, slightly nacreous sheen that is typical and found exclusively in lichen planus, most frequently on the inner surfaces of the arms and calves.

Lichen simplex chronicus / Neurodermatitis: thickened, dry, scaly skin with a specific pearly sheen and intense pruritus.

Atopic dermatitis: red patches, severe dryness, scales, and intense pruritus.

Treatment is tailored to the specific condition, but in both cases the dietary regimen of the Kozak Method is mandatory for a period of about 9-12 months, so that the healing of the tissues can be guaranteed.

Smoking and coffee consumption are strictly forbidden in order to guarantee a quality healing of the affected tissues.

In the treatment of eczema and lichen planus, the Kozak Tea, the mandatory Dietary Regimen, and external products in the form of solutions and creams are administered.