In this Article

• 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
• Lichen Planus Glossary
• Lichen Planus Index

What is the long-term outlook for patients with lichen planus?

Lichen planus usually goes away by itself in time. Some drugs can produce rashes that are similar in appearance to lichen planus. These rashes can be distinguished from lichen planus in that they go away when the offending drug is stopped.

Lichen planus, by contrast, usually persists quite a while before resolving. The average duration of the condition is 4 years. Even after going away, lichen planus may recur. The disease is thus paradoxical in that it tends to be self-limiting but may recur after years. It is usually not associated with any body-wide (systemic) diseases or problems.

Lichen Planus - Describe Your Experience

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