Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a treatment for lichen planus?

1. Antibiotics

2. Corticosteroids

3. Antifungals

4. Analgesics

The correct answer is: Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are commonly used to treat lichen planus due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition that can affect the skin and mucous membranes, leading to symptoms such as itching, pain, and lesions. The use of corticosteroids helps to reduce inflammation and alleviate these symptoms, promoting healing of the affected areas. Topical corticosteroids are often the first line of treatment for localized forms of lichen planus, while systemic corticosteroids may be employed in more severe or widespread cases. Their effectiveness in modulating the immune response makes them the preferred choice in managing this condition. The other treatments, like antibiotics, antifungals, and analgesics, are not appropriate for lichen planus. Antibiotics are used for bacterial infections, antifungals target fungal infections, and analgesics primarily manage pain but do not address the underlying inflammatory process associated with lichen planus.