Can Oral Lichen Planus cause loss of smell and taste if left untreated?

[Grandy1962]

My wife is currently being assessed for possible Sjögrens as she has most, if not all of the symptoms.

Before she was sent down the Sjögrens rabbit hole, however, she was diagnosed (eventually) with Lichen Planus. I say eventually because she was first misdiagnosed (during COVID) by a doctor who wouldn’t even examine her (despite only being in the next room) and relied on a mobile phone picture taken by a nurse before pronouncing that her skin rash was scabies (!). By the time a proper diagnosis was made, about 3 months later, the condition had spread to her mouth and tongue.

At around the same time, she had also noticed that she was starting to lose her sense of taste and smell (both of which have now disappeared completely) and increasing dryness in her mouth.

Could the loss of taste and smell be down to the OLP?

[weathervane]

Im sorry I can’t comment about Lichen Planus but Ido know that Sjögren’s can cause loss of smell and taste . At the minute until you get a firm diagnosis all you can do is treat the symptoms as best you can . I use sterimar saline nasal spray for my nose, most of the treatments for dry mouth didn’t help me much but I do get a strong fluoride toothpaste on prescription from the dentist. Sometimes the dentist can give good advice about oral problems.

[youngmusic29]

I was diagnosed with Lichen Planus about the same time as my Sjogren’s and Hashimoto’s diagnosis. I was given a fluocinonide gel to treat any lesions. I don’t think it has affected my taste or smell. I eat bland food otherwise, spicy food causes sores.