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| Lichen planus | |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kiran Singh, M.D. [2]
Synonyms and keywords: Ruber planus; Wickham striae
Lichen planus is an inflammatory disease that affects the skin and the oral mucosa.
Lichen Planopilaris is the specific name given to lichen planus on the scalp that may cause permanent, scarring alopecia. If left untreated the scarring will cause permanent hair loss. The Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides support and resources for people with lichen planopilaris.
The cause of lichen planus is not known; however, there are cases of lichen planus-type rashes (known as lichenoid reactions) occurring as allergic reactions to medications for high blood pressure, heart disease and arthritis. These lichenoid reactions are referred to as lichenoid mucositis (of the mucosa) or dermatitis (of the skin). Lichen planus has been reported as a complication of chronic hepatitis C virus infection and can be a sign of chronic graft-versus-host disease of the skin. It has been suggested that true lichen planus may respond to stress, where lesions may present on the mucosa or skin during times of stress in those with the disease.
The clinical presentation of lichen planus may also resemble other conditions, including:
A biopsy is useful in identifying histological features that help differentiate lichen planus from these conditions.
Lichen planus in children is rare, and it occurs most often in middle-aged adults.
Lichen planus affects women more than men (at a ratio of 3:2).
Some of the risk factors for lichen planus are as follows:
Lichen planus is usually not harmful and may get better with treatment. It usually clears up within 18 months. However it may last for weeks to months, and may come and go for years. If lichen planus is caused by a medication, the rash should go away once the medicine is stopped.
A possible complication that is associated with lichen planus is that mouth ulcers that are there for a long time may develop into oral cancer.
The microscopic appearance of lichen planus is pathognomonic for the condition
Other symptoms such as:
The typical rash of lichen planus is well-described by the "5 P's": well-defined pruritic, planar, purple, polygonal papules. The commonly affected sites are near the wrist and the ankle. The rash tends to heal with prominent blue-black or brownish discoloration that persists for a long time. Besides the typical lesions, many morphological varieties of the rash may occur. The presence of cutaneous lesions is not constant and may wax and wane over time. Oral lesions tend to last far longer than cutaneous lichen planus lesions.
The following images show good examples of how lichen planus manifests on the body.
Lichen planus must be differentiated from other diseases that cause ust be differentiated from other diseases that cause rash and eczema such as secondary syphilis and pityriasis rosea.
| Disease | Rash Characteristics | Signs and Symptoms | Associated Conditions | Images |
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| Cutaneous T cell lymphoma/Mycosis fungoides[2] |
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| Pityriasis rosea[3] |
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| Pityriasis lichenoides chronica |
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| Nummular dermatitis[6] |
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| Secondary syphilis[7] |
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| Bowen’s disease[8] |
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| Exanthematous pustulosis[10] |
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| Hypertrophic lichen planus[12] |
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| Sneddon–Wilkinson disease[14] |
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| Small plaque parapsoriasis[18] |
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| Intertrigo[20] |
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| Langerhans cell histiocytosis[21] |
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| Tinea manuum/pedum/capitis[25] |
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| Seborrheic dermatitis |
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Oral lichen planus may present in one of three forms.
Rarely, lichen planus shows esophageal involvement, where it can present with erosive esophagitis and stricturing. It has also been hypothesized that it is a precursor to squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.
Lichen planus may also affect the genital mucosa - vulvovaginal-gingival lichen planus. It can resemble other skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
Clinical experience suggests that Lichen planus of the skin alone is easier to treat as compared to one which is associated with oral and genital lesions.
Currently there is no cure for lichen planus but there are certain types of medicines used to reduce the effects of the inflammation. Lichen planus may go into a dormant state after treatment. There are also reports that lichen planus can flare up years after it is considered cured.