Lichen Planus Center - Petaluma, CA
Petaluma 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 Petaluma * Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates  Novato Dermatology Associates  Novato Dermatology Associates  Joseph Greenberg MD  Richard B Odom MD  Sonoma Skin  Kaiser Foundation Hospital  Joseph Greenberg MD  Dermatology Consultants of Marin  Dermatology Consultants of Marin  Dermatology Consultants of Marin  Marin Dermatology Associates  Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Institute  Cheryl Tanasovich MD  Stephen D Schwartz MD  Kenneth M Stein MD  R Makala Anders MD  Marek Lorenc MD  Julie A Winfield MD  Skintique  Cynthia S Bailey MD  Cynthia S Bailey MD  Laub Dermatology & Aesthetics  Eye Associates of Sebastopol  Lewis H May II MD  Robert A Davis MD  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  Diane S Silver MD  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  N Charles Diakon MD  Carol Isaacs MD  Solano Dermatology Associates  Solano Dermatology Associates  Solano Dermatology Associates  Solano Dermatology Associates  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology Dept  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology Dept  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology Dept  James McCole MD  Advanced Dermatology Care  Kathy Fang MD PhD  Camilla McCalmont MD  Camilla McCalmont MD  UCSF VA Medical Center  VA Medical Center  Dermatology Center  Gerald A Gellin MD  Lawrence S Kaminsky MD  Drs Manber & Pollat  Drs Manber & Pollat  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  Quita V Cruciger MD  Drs Fields & Narurkar  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  Drs Fields & Narurkar  Kaiser Permanente Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology Surgery Department  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology Surgery Department  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology Surgery Department  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology  UCSF Medical Center Dermatology  UCSF Dermatology Surgery Department  UCSF Dermatology Surgery Department  UCSF The Comprehensive Cancer Center  Kathleen M Welsh MD  Siong Chiaun Lee MD  Ronald R Chappler MD  Michael K Burns MD  Epstein & Tuffanelli MDs Inc  Epstein & Tuffanelli MDs Inc  Union Square Dermatology  David J MacGregor MD  Epstein & Tuffanelli MDs Inc  Epstein & Tuffanelli MDs Inc  Union Square Dermatology  Epstein & Tuffanelli MDs Inc  Epstein & Tuffanelli MDs Inc  Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco  Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco  San Francisco Dermatology Inc  Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco  William W Kwan MD  Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco  San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center  San Francisco Dermatology Inc Petaluma, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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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 Petaluma
Nearby Petaluma Hospitals *Petaluma Valley Hospital Novato Community Hospital Sonoma Valley Hospital Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center Kentfield Rehabilitation & Specialty Hospital Marin General Hospital Napa State Hospital Queen of the Valley Medical Center Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Main Campus Palm Drive Hospital Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center St Helena Hospital Center for Behavioral Health Sutter Solano Medical Center Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa Chanate Campus Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center Doctor's Medical Center San Pablo St Helena Hospital Contra Costa Regional Medical Center Telecare Solano Psychiatric Health Facility Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Herrick Campus San Francisco VA Medical Center California Pacific Medical Center California Campus California Pacific Medical Center East Campus California Pacific Medical Center Pacific Campus Chinese Hospital UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion VA Northern CA Healthcare System at Martinez Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Alta Bates Campus Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center Saint Francis Memorial Hospital NorthBay Medical Center St Mary's Medical Center Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland California Pacific Medical Center Davies Campus UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Summit Campus Kaiser Permanente Medical Center at Oakland Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center San Francisco General Hospital St Luke's Hospital John Muir Behavioral Health Center Alameda County Medical Center Highland Campus John Muir Medical Center Concord Campus Healdsburg District Hospital Alameda 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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