Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic mucocutaneous disease. The cause of oral lichen planus is not well known and the successful management of OLP is still difficult to achieve.
Aim: The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to compare the therapeutic effects of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) preparation versus topical 50% coconut cream preparation in the management of atrophic OLP.
Methods: 20 patients who had atrophic OLP were selected and randomly divided into two equal groups. (Group I) received topical 50% coconut cream, and (Group II) received topical 0.1% triamcinolone for a period of 4 weeks and patients were evaluated at baseline before treatment and on days 14, 21 and 28. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used for evaluating pain and burning sensation in addition to the evaluation of the degree of erythema and size of erosive area.
Results: Our results showed that both topical 50% coconut cream and 0.1% TA were found to reduce the VAS score, the degree of erythema, and size of the lesions.
Conclusion: 50% coconut cream showed a significant reduction in the VAS, degree of erythema and lesion size with no signs of toxicity nor side effects informed during the treatment or follow-up period, thus proving to be a safe and promising medication for OLP.