Lichen Planus

Lichen planus is a condition that can cause swelling and irritation in the skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes. On the skin, lichen planus usually appears as purplish, itchy, flat bumps that develop over several weeks. In the mouth, vagina and other areas covered by a mucous membrane, lichen planus forms lacy white patches, sometimes with painful sores.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of lichen planus vary depending on the areas affected. Typical signs and symptoms are:

• Purplish, flat bumps, most often on the inner forearm, wrist or ankle, and sometimes the genitals
• Itching
• Blisters that break to form scabs or crusts
• Lacy white patches in the mouth or on the lips or tongue
• Painful sores in the mouth or vagina
• Hair loss
• Change in scalp color
• Nail damage or loss

Investigations

Biopsy, Allergy tests, Hepatitis C test.

Treatment

Cream or ointment of corticosteroids; Clobetasol (Clobevate/Dermovate)

Oral Antimalarial hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and the antibiotic metronidazole (Flagyl)

Immune response medication; Azathioprine (Imuran), mycophenolate (Cellcept), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmun) and methotrexate (MTX).

Antiallergic to relive itching and Phototherapy.