Lichen planus treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with doctors and other healthcare providers via text, audio, or video. After you log in to your Maple account, you can request an online consultation.

Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can complete an assessment by asking questions about your symptoms, going through your health history, and determining what treatment is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person examination.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to virtual primary care online and more. You can connect with our network of providers via text, audio, or video call within minutes.

Our membership costs $79.99/month and covers virtual care for patients and their families, including the primary account holder's spouse and any dependents.

For patients in eligible provinces, our membership includes:

• Access to daily primary care provider visits: One daily visit with a primary care provider for each family member in their household.
• Paediatric care: Covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment.
• Second medical opinions: access to a network of experts for a second opinion if diagnosed with a complex condition (e.g. cancer).
• Personal Health Check-Ins: A series of personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to maintain and improve health.
• iCBT courses: Access to iCBT (internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy) self-assessment and courses.
• Access to specialists in eligible provinces: Easy access to specialists on Maple within days, not months. No referral is needed.
• Specialist referrals in eligible provinces: Ability to be referred to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed.
• Credit discounts: An $80 credit per month to be applied to a Maple specialist visit.

Please note that our membership cannot be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. In some cases, membership fees can be covered by a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) — check with your HSA provider for more details.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX cards, as well as Google and Apple Pay.

At Maple, we proudly prioritize privacy as a cornerstone of our virtual care services. We strictly adhere to privacy and healthcare legislation in Canada, such as PIPEDA and PHIPA regulations, to ensure patients' personal and health information remains completely private and safeguarded.

Our policies and consent processes are designed to be simple and easily understood, empowering individuals with control and a clear understanding of their healthcare journey. When using our services, a patient’s session is protected by a comprehensive security infrastructure and stringent data policies.

Patients also retain full control of their personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. Our approach is reinforced by consultations with leading experts, guaranteeing comprehensive policy frameworks that are reviewed at a regular cadence.

All providers delivering healthcare through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their licensing regulatory colleges, and in all instances, must act in accordance with the governing principles set out in the telemedicine policies of each medical regulator in the applicable province.

Regulators across Canada support and recognize the value of services like ours, and the way in which they can benefit patients, physicians, and Canada’s broader healthcare system by improving access to care and increasing efficiencies in the delivery of care.

Yes. A doctor on Maple will be able to offer lichen planus treatment options after they’ve discussed your current condition and symptoms.

They may request additional testing to confirm the condition before they offer a lichen planus diagnosis

Yes. Our physicians can prescribe medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it works page to learn more.

Lichen planus is a condition that causes irritation and swelling in various areas of the body.

There are a few different types of lichen planus, depending on the area body where the condition appears.

The most common lichen planus symptoms include:

• Lacy white patches in the mouth, on the tongue or lips
• Changes in scalp colour
• Nail loss
• Nail damage
• Painful sores in the mouth or vagina
• Blisters that break to form crusts or scabs
• Itchiness
• Flat, purple bumps, usually on the forearm, wrist, ankle, or genitals

Our own immune systems actually cause lichen planus.

Lichen planus is an autoimmune response that occurs when our immune systems start to attack skin cells or mucus membranes.

While lichen planus and psoriasis are skin conditions that share some similar symptoms, they are very different.

Psoriasis is a lifelong autoimmune condition. It’s a genetic condition and it has no cure. This condition causes bumpy red patches of skin, with scaly white tops.

It can appear anywhere on the body and cause itching, burning, bleeding, or stiff joints, depending on where it appears.

Usually, a lichen planus diagnosis will be suggested after tests are performed to confirm the condition.

Some of these possible tests include:

• Biopsy of infected tissue
• Hepatitis C testing
• Allergy tests

Lichen planus has no direct cure, but can disappear on its own without treatment. It may not return once it disappears, but when erosive lichen planus occurs, it can take longer to disappear. It will also be more likely to recur.

Various lichen planus treatments can reduce or relieve symptoms and accelerate the healing process.

Various lichen planus treatments can be recommended depending on the location, severity, and type of lichen planus you’re experiencing.

Some commonly used medications and treatments include:

• Oral anti-infection drugs
• Immune response medications
• Antihistamines
• Light therapy
• Topical corticosteroids
• Retinoids

Lichen planus can last a few months up to around two years before disappearing.

Receiving lichen planus treatments and medications can help accelerate the healing process and minimize negative symptoms from the condition.