What is Lichen Planus?

An inflammatory skin condition typically affecting the skin and the oral mucosa is referred to as “lichen planus”, from the words “lichen” that grows on rocks and tree bark and from the Latin word “planus” meaning flat. It is characterized by a non-infectious rash of small and bumps, itchy skin specifically on the arms and legs, less often on some other parts of the body including the nails, vagina, penis, scalp, and mouth.

Types of Lichen Planus

The following are the different types of lichen planus. Here are as follows:

Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophics

A condition(rare) affecting the male genitals and vulva. With great itching, there is atrophy and alert of the affected organ.

Lichen Planus Annularis

Frequently disturbing the genitals and scrotum.

Lichen Planus Hypertrophicus

It looks like a keloid or hypertrophied scar, often found on the ankles.

Lichen Planus Linearis

A collective outbreak, expanding down the entire limb of the body as seen in some children.

Lichen Planus Follicularis (Lichen Planopilaris)

Practically be seen in the hair bearing areas such as pubic region and scalp.

The mark of lichen planus are best described as a pink-purple in colour and flat topped , and is generally measure between 3mm and 5mm. Their exterior part of the affected area is shiny and appear in a groups or next to the injury line where the skin has been scratched or knocked.

In general, around 1.2 percent of the population of the entire universe are affected by this skin condition and it is the females are more affective than the male ones (at a ratio of 3:2). It typically occurs in individuals over thirty (30) years of age.

Lichen Planus Symptoms

Symptoms and signs of lichen planus appears immediately or can take as much as two (2) years to go away. Symptoms and signs can include:

• Nail abnormalities
• Hyperpigmentation (an excess of pigment of the skin)
• Hair loss
• Drowsiness
• Rectum itching
• Wickham’s striae (white streaks in the mouth)
• Fatigue
• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Redness and blistering of the gums
• Psoriasis
• Scaly patches
• Hypertrophic (thickened skin)
• Changes in skin color
• Intense itching
• Soarness of the mouth
• Vaginal rash
• Blue areas inside cheeks
• Bumps
• Burning sensation and pain
• Penile itching
• Eczema

An individual should seek emergency medical aid when he/she has experienced lichen planus accompanied by:

• Symptoms that cannot stop
• Sudden change in appearance of the skin and mouth
• The condition worsens even with treatment

Factors that put a person at risk for lichen planus can include:

• Patients with liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and etc.
• Age (Middle-aged adults)
• Genetic disposition
• Gender (females)
• Family History

Injuries or complications that relate to lichen planus can include:

• Constant skin lesions
• Permanent brown or grey marks on the skin
• Mouth ulcers (rare)

Lichen Planus Causes

The main causes of lichen planus can include:

• Virus infection of the liver
• Gold injections – for the treatment of arthritis
• Taking certain medicines containing bismuth, gold and etc. may trigger the appearance of lichen planus to the body
• An immune system disorder
• Thiazide diuretics
• High blood pressure
• Phenothiazines (a group of tranquilizing drugs with antipsychotic actions)
• Exposure to certain chemicals such as color photographs
• Patients who had undergo procedure of bone marrow transplants
• Microscopic organisms such as worms may produce skin disturbances
• Grinspan’s syndrome
• Arthirits
• Heart diseases
• Medications that relieve stress on the heart and throughout the body such as beta blockers and etc.
• Antimalarials

Lichen Planus Treatment

Many treatments are available dependent on the location and severity of the lesions of the skin. Listed below are the treatments you may use in treating this certain skin condition.
If an individual has a minor rash applying oatmeal-based creams- is a very good natural therapy in relieving itchy skin and itchy discomfort under control

Phototherapy with ultraviolet light- may be required in handling and managing this skin condition as soon as extensive parts of the body are being affected.

For more sever cases, you may include these treatments for eliminating and reducing the skin condition of lichen planus. The following are as follows:

Taking certain medications such as Oral corticosteroids (steroid tablets), antihistamines usually taken at night to reduce and lessen the itching of having lichen planus.

Only used in extreme and excessive cases the acetretin tablets for it lowers the immune system of the affected individual.

Lichen Planus Pictures

Below are the images of lichen planus of various regions.

Picture 1 – Lichen planus of nails

Image source - dermis.net

Image 2 – Lichen planus of hands and feet

Image source - doctortipster.com

Picture 3 – Lichen Planus of tongue

Image source - 2.bp.blogspot.com

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by Dr John on 29. Dec, 2011 in Diseases and Conditions