Oral lichen planus in a child in association with psychological stress: A case report

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic autoimmune cell-mediated disease affecting mucocotaneous tissues of oral cavity. Recent studies revealed that psychological stress may act as a trigger to initiate clinical symptoms. An 8-year-old girl complaining of oral ulcer, pain and irritation in mouth with onset of 3 months ago, was admitted to oral medicine department. Her medical history was negative except for severe psychological trauma in last 6 months. Intraoral examination showed bluish purple atrophic erosive striations with hyperkeratosis. Pathological study of buccal lesions confirmed OLP diagnosis. As all primary investigations were negative; psychogenic origin was suspected. Although it is rare for a child to have OLP but it should be taken into consideration in differential diagnosis of red and white oral lesions in children. Huge impact of psychological factors in the occurrence of oral diseases have suggested that they should be treated in combination with psychotherapy.