Lichen Planus Center - Methuen, MA
Methuen Dermatologist Doctors for Lichen PlanusType of Physician: Dermatologist What is a Dermatologist? A certification by the Board of Dermatology; practitioners treat pediatric and adult patients with disorders of the skin, mouth, hair and nails as well as a number of sexually transmitted diseases. They also have expertise in the care of normal skin, the prevention of skin diseases and cancers, and in the management of cosmetic disorders of the skin such as hair loss and scars. Specialty: Dermatology Common Name: Skin Doctor Dermatologist Doctors in Methuen * North Andover Dermatology  North Andover Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Rockoff Center  Medical Centers of Greater Lowell  John M Tomich MD  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates  Skin & Laser Surgery Center of New England  Michael T Rosenbaum MD  Chelmsford Dermatology PC  Chelmsford Dermatology PC  Philip S Ellerin MD  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Marilyn R Capek MD  Robert J O'Brien Jr. MD & Associates  Robert J O'Brien Jr. MD & Associates  Robert J O'Brien Jr. MD & Associates  Robert J O'Brien Jr. MD & Associates  Adult & Pediatric Dermatology  Adult & Pediatric Dermatology  Ayer & Westford Dermatology  Kathleen M Greco MD  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Advanced Dermatology of Melrose  Charles A Swanson MD  Dermatology Associates of North Shore  Barry Paul MD  Barry Paul MD  Richard Brown MD  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Peter Muz MD  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Dermatology Associates of Concord  VonWeiss Dermatology Center  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Associates In Dermatology  Associates In Dermatology  Dermatology Associates of Waltham  Howard S Goldberg MD  Stephen O Kovacs MD  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  MGH Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Group  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Joseph C Kvedar MD  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  MGH Dermatology Surgical Unit  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Mark A Lewis MD  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Oon Tian Tan MD  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology Allergy & Immunology  Boston Center for Ambulatory Surgery  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  South Shore Skin Surgeons PC  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology Methuen, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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Lichen PlanusRead the Lichen Planus article » 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:
Recommended Reading Related to Lichen PlanusWhat is a skin biopsy?A skin biopsy is the removal of a piece of skin for the purpose of further examination in the laboratory using a microscope. Skin biopsies are performed to diagnose a number of conditions.
Why is a skin biopsy performed?Skin biopsy is most frequently done to diagnose a skin growth such as a mole, or a skin condition such as a rash. A skin biopsy can also be used to diagnose a cancer of the skin. A skin biopsy may be indicated when a mole or other marking on the skin has changed in its shape, color, or size. A skin biopsy is also sometimes used to diagnose infections of the skin.
What methods are used to obtain a skin biopsy?Different techniques are used in different situations. Typically the biopsies are obtained using local anesthetics.
Other Related Lichen Planus ArticlesEmergency Contact for Methuen
Nearby Methuen Hospitals *Caritas Holy Family Hospital and Medical Center Lawrence General Hospital Northeast Rehabilitation Health Network Isham Health Center Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Haverhill Merrimack Valley Hospital Saints Medical Center Tewksbury Hospital Baldpate Hospital Hampstead Hospital HC Solomon Mental Health Center Lowell General Hospital Parkland Medical Center Southern New Hampshire Medical Center St Joseph Hospital Anna Jaques Hospital Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Lahey Clinic Medical Center Winchester Hospital HEALTHSOUTH New England Rehabilitation Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston North Shore North Shore Medical Center Beverly Hospital Melrose Wakefield Hospital Emerson Hospital North Shore Children's Hospital Salem Hospital & the Birthplace Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital Lawrence Memorial Hospital Elliot Hospital Exeter Hospital Nashoba Valley Medical Center McLean Hospital Whidden Memorial Hospital Catholic Medical Center Manchester VA Medical Center Somerville Hospital Lawrence F Quigley Memorial Hospital Mount Auburn Hospital Cambridge Hospital Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital M I T Medical Massachusetts General Hospital Shriners Hospitals for Children Boston Burn Hospital Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center Franciscan Hospital for Children Arbour HRI Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston Addison Gilbert Hospital Tufts New England Medical Center Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Children's Hospital Boston Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brigham & Women's Hospital Newton Wellesley Hospital Boston Medical Center New England Baptist Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus Arbour Hospital Radius Specialty Hospital Boston Faulkner Hospital Bournewood Hospital Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Massachusetts Mental Health Center Portsmouth Regional Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus Caritas Carney Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Campus UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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