Lichen Planus Center - Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto * Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Dermatology  Gould Dermatology Group  Gould Dermatology Group  Gould Dermatology Group  Berman Skin Institute  Lyle Rausch MD  David R Berk MD  Recia Blumenkranz MD  Dermatology Medical Group & Laser Center Inc  Dermatology Medical Group & Laser Center Inc  Dermatology Medical Group & Laser Center Inc  Family Dermatology  Menlo Medical Clinic  Stanford University Medical Center Dermatology Clinic  Stanford University Medical Center Dermatology Clinic  Stanford University Medical Center Dermatology Clinic  Stanford University Medical Center Dermatology Clinic  Stanford University Medical Center Dermatology Clinic  Stanford University Medical Center Dermatology Clinic  Aaron M Strefling MD  California Skin Institute  Premier Dermatology  Drs Gail & David Jacoby  Elizabeth A Abel MD  Azucena L Arguelles MD  Elizabeth A Abel MD  Camino Medical Group Dermatology  Camino Medical Group Dermatology  Camino Medical Group Dermatology  Jean Gordon MD PhD  Camino Medical Group Dermatology  Camino Medical Group Dermatology  Bernard Recht MD  Kaiser Union City Dermatology  Kaiser Union City Dermatology  Kaiser Union City Dermatology  Kaiser Union City Dermatology  Kaiser Union City Dermatology  Kaiser Union City Dermatology  Permanente Medical Group Dermatology  Permanente Medical Group Dermatology  Permanente Medical Group Dermatology  Permanente Medical Group Dermatology  Permanente Medical Group Dermatology  Permanente Medical Group Dermatology  Permanente Medical Group Dermatology  Susan Wolf MD  Susan Wolf MD  Fremont Dermatology  Werner W Ju MD  Fremont Dermatology  Fremont Dermatology  Bruce L Maltz MD  Lucy M Schmidt MD  Peter K Webb MD  Cosmetic Dermatology Center  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Dermatology in Fremont  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Dermatology in Fremont  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Dermatology in Fremont  Georgia K Abrams MD  Allergy & Dermatology Medical Clinic  Anthony J Badame MD  Marie B Britz MD  Mychael Luu MD  Robert Melnikoff MD & Walter Wood MD  Robert Melnikoff MD & Walter Wood MD  Herbert A Holman MD  Advanced Laser Surgery Medical Group  Peninsula Dermatology Medical Group Inc  Peninsula Dermatology Medical Group Inc  Peninsula Dermatology Medical Group Inc  William C Chow DO & John Doux MD  William C Chow DO & John Doux MD  Age Defying Dermatology  Age Defying Dermatology  Patrick Bitter Sr. MD  Leon Lubianker MD  Martin B Miller MD  Dorothy J Buckner MD  Christopher Schmidt MD  An Tranvan MD  Wall Medical Group  Affiliates In Dermatology  Affiliates In Dermatology  Affiliates In Dermatology  William Lide MD  Kaiser Permanente Pleasanton Medical Offices  Hong T N Do MD  Pacific Dermatology  Pacific Dermatology Palo Alto, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
2012-06-23
2012-06-24
2012-06-24
2012-07-01
2012-07-14
2012-07-28
2012-08-05
2012-08-25
2012-10-21
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 Palo Alto
Nearby Palo Alto Hospitals *Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Menlo Park Surgical Hospital Stanford Hospital & Clinics VA Palo Alto Health Care System Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center Sequoia Hospital El Camino Hospital San Mateo Medical Center Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center Fremont Hospital Mills Hospital Washington Hospital Kaiser Permanente Hayward Medical Center St Rose Hospital Mills-Peninsula Health Services O'Connor Hospital Santa Clara Valley Medical Center El Camino Hospital of Los Gatos Good Samaritan Hospital San Jose Eden Medical Center Regional Medical Center of San Jose Good Samaritan Hospital Mission Oaks Alameda County Medical Center Fairmont Campus John George Psychiatric Pavilion San Leandro Hospital Kindred Hospital San Francisco Bay Area Seton Medical Center Coastside Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco Medical Center Alameda Hospital ValleyCare Health System Pleasanton Seton Medical Center Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center Alameda County Medical Center Highland Campus St Luke's Hospital Livermore Division of the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System San Francisco General Hospital San Ramon Regional Medical Center Valley Memorial Hospital Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Summit Campus Kaiser Permanente Medical Center at Oakland California Pacific Medical Center Davies Campus UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland Chinese Hospital St Mary's Medical Center Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion California Pacific Medical Center Pacific Campus California Pacific Medical Center East Campus California Pacific Medical Center California Campus Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Alta Bates Campus Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Herrick Campus San Francisco VA Medical Center Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek Medical Center Dominican Hospital John Muir Medical Center Walnut Creek Campus Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center 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. |
Suggested Reading on Lichen Planus by Our Doctors
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
3 articles-
Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver due to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is usually spread by blood transfusion, hemodialysis, and needle sticks, especially with intravenous drug abuse. Chronic hepatitis C may be treated with interferon, usually in combination with anti-virals.
-
Rash
- The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
-
Tongue Problems
- There are a variety of diseases and conditions that can cause tongue problems, discoloration, and soreness. Though most tongue problems are not serious. Conditions such as leukoplakia, oral thrush, and oral lichen planus may cause a white tongue while Kawasaki syndrome, scarlet fever, and geographic tongue may cause the tongue to appear red. A black hairy tongue may be caused by overgrown papillae on the tongue. Canker sores, smoking, and trauma may cause soreness of the tongue.
-
Hepatitis C
-
Medications
2 articles -
Procedures & Tests
1 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
0 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
2 articles -
Health News
0 articles -
Health Features
0 articles
