Lichen Planus

Adult Skin Problems Slideshow

• What is lichen planus?
• How is the rash of lichen planus different from that of most other common rashes?
• What are the symptoms of lichen planus?
• What does lichen planus look like?
• How is lichen planus diagnosed?
• What causes lichen planus?
• What is the treatment for lichen planus?
• What is the long-term outlook for patients with lichen planus?
• Patient Discussions: Lichen Planus - Describe Your Experience

Featured patient discussions on lichen planus "My dentist just diagnosed me with lichen planus after two medical doctors didn't know what it was. Both doctors gave me a viral cream, which didn't even touch it. When I first got this, it started with my lips swelling. Then I could feel little blisters forming on the inside bottom lip. Some formed inside my top lip as well. My bottom lip developed a deep ridge and was very raw to the point of bleeding. I was putting a triple antibiotic ointment on my lips at night hoping it would cure it. It only soothed it as did Vaseline. It lasts about three weeks when it comes. It will get better, and the ridge will go away, but it isn't gone very long when it begins again. I have to be careful and not burn my lips on hot food or beverages as this will set it off. My lips also will get very dry and don't seem to absorb any moisture from the Vaseline. The rash will also get on the outside rim of my bottom lip. There isn't a cure, so the only thing I can do is to keep applying Vaseline and Blistex on my lips. Having lichen planus also affects the tip of my tongue, altering the taste of food. I have had it inside my cheek and on the side of my tongue, which is white and red with bumps." Read all lichen planus comments » Top Searched Lichen Planus Terms: causes, treatment, psoriasis, metoprolol, thalidomide Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, or treatment. See the disclaimer at the bottom of the comments page.

What is lichen planus?

Lichen planus is a recurrent rash that is due to inflammation. The rash is characterized by small, flat-topped, many-sided (polygonal) bumps that can grow together into rough, scaly patches on the skin. There may also be a rash in the lining (mucous membranes) of the mouth or vagina.

Lichen planus is a very curious skin condition, the effects of which are localized to the areas of involvement. (Lichen refers to a tree moss while planus is Latin for flat = like a flat tree moss.)

How is the rash of lichen planus different from that of most other common rashes?

The major point of distinction of lichen planus from eczema, psoriasis, and other common rashes is its color -- lilac or violet. The textbooks call it "violaceous."

What are the symptoms of lichen planus?

Lichen planus itches with an intensity that varies in different people from mild to severe.

The onset of lichen planus can be sudden or gradual. The first attack may last for weeks or months, and recurrences may happen for years. Children are not often affected by lichen planus. The bumps at first are 2 to 4 mm in diameter, with angular borders, and a violaceous color. At the onset of the disease, new bumps may appear at sites of minor skin injury, such as a superficial scratch. An excess of pigment (hyperpigmentation) may develop in the affected skin as the lesions persist. Rarely, a patchy scarring balding (alopecia) of the scalp occurs.

What does lichen planus look like?

The appearance of lichen planus depends on whether the skin or the lining (mucous membranes) inside the mouth or vagina are affected:

• Skin involvement: The usual skin involvement with lichen planus consists of flat-topped lilac or violet spots a few millimeters in diameter on the skin. These spots tend to be located on the inner wrists, forearms, the lower legs just above the ankles, and the lower part of the back.
  A variant of this disease is called hypertrophic lichen planus. This condition appears as thick, reddish-brown lesions that are covered with scales. These spots tend to be on the shins, but they can occur anywhere on the body. This is an especially itchy and persistent (chronic) variant of lichen planus.

• Mucous membranes: Lichen planus of the mucous membranes is common. Dentists often come across it as a white, lacy rash on the inside of the cheeks of people who are unaware of the condition. About half of the people affected with lichen planus have the rash inside of their mouths (oral mucosa). The oral rash often occurs prior to any skin involvement.
  
  More troublesome, although rare, is erosive lichen planus, which can be quite sore and uncomfortable. This erosive form typically causes the patient to complain of the shallow and often quite painful, recurrent ulcers in the mouth.
  
  Lichen planus can affect the female genitals, including the vagina. This condition can be confused with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), although lichen planus is neither sexually transmitted nor contagious.

Sometimes, lichen planus produces pits and grooves in the nails as well.

Lichen Planus - Describe Your Experience

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