Lichen Planus

Lichen planus is a common, non-contagious skin condition that causes painful, itchy bumps that may be shiny and reddish-purple. The most common sites for these bumps are on the wrists, ankles, and lower back but they can appear anywhere on the body, including the genitals. The symptoms of lichen planus depend on which body part is affected:

On the fingernails: Lichen planus can cause ridges, grooves, splitting and thinning.

In the mouth: Oral lichen planus can affect the inside of the cheeks, tongue, gums, and lips. The symptoms of oral lichen planus are a lacelike pattern of white dots and lines, redness, swelling, peeling gums, and painful sores.

On the scalp: Although it is rare, when lichen planus occurs on the scalp, it can cause tiny bumps, redness and irritation, and thinning hair or patches of hair loss.

Q: What causes Lichen planus?

A: Although the causes of lichen planus are not exactly clear, the leading theory is that it is an autoimmune disorder that spurs the body to attack its own skin. There may also be a link with the hepatitis C virus and if you have symptoms of lichen planus, you should be tested for the virus as well. Certain medications, such as diuretics, may cause a rash that resembles lichen planus.

Q: How is lichen planus treated?

A: Most cases will eventually go away without medical attention, but medications can speed up healing and relieve discomfort. At SkinSmart Dermatology, we prescribe medications for lichen planus including antihistamines to relieve itching, corticosteroids (topically, orally, or by injection) to reduce swelling and redness, and retinoic acids (either orally or topically) to help clear the skin.