Dear Editor,
We would like to share ideas on the publication “Lichen planus triggered by COVID-19 vaccination: A case series.”[1] The case study addresses the development of lichen planus after receiving the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, particularly the COVISHIELD (AstraZeneca) shot. The limited case series upon which this case report is based is a weakness; larger research would be required to demonstrate a definitive correlation between COVID-19 vaccines and lichen planus.
Additional causes that could have resulted in the development of lichen planus, such as drugs, infections, or additional vaccinations, are possible confounders in this case study. When screening patients with similar symptoms, it is important to include other skin illnesses including psoriasis, eczema, or medication responses as part of the differential diagnosis for lichen planus.
Family physicians and primary care physicians should be aware of the possible connection between immunizations, such as the COVID-19 vaccine, and the emergence of autoimmune inflammatory diseases like lichen planus. After receiving a vaccination, patients who develop skin lesions should be carefully assessed and treated correctly, with lichen planus being considered as a differential diagnosis. To completely comprehend the connection between immunizations and autoimmune diseases like lichen planus, more research is required.
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Conflicts of interest
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References
- 1.Narasimhan M, Ramakrishnan R, Varri DS, Sivasubramanian M. Lichen planus triggered by COVID-19 vaccination: A case series. J Family Med Prim Care. 2024;13:384–7. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_664_23. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]