Lichen planus

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Lichen planus - close-up

Lichen nitidus on the abdomen

Lichen planus on the arm

Lichen planus on the hands

Lichen planus on the oral mucosa

Lichen striatus - close-up

Lichen striatus on the leg

Lichen striatus - close-up

Lichen planus

Symptoms:

Itching in the location of a lesion, mild to severe
Skin lesion:
- Usually located on the inner areas of the wrist, legs, torso, or genitals
- Generalized, with symmetric appearance
- Single lesion or clusters of lesions, often at sites of skin trauma
- Papule of 2 - 4 cm size
- Papules clustered into a plaque or large, flat-topped lesion
- Distinct, sharp borders to lesions
- Possibly covered with fine white streaks or linear scratch marks called Wickham's striae
- Shiny or scaly appearance
- Color dark -- reddish-purple (skin) or gray-white (mouth)
- Possibility of developing blisters or ulcers
Ridges in the nails (nail abnormalities)
Dry mouth
Metallic taste in the mouth
Mouth lesions
- Tender or painful (mild cases may have no discomfort)
- Located on the sides of the tongue or the inside of the cheek
- Occasionally located on the gums
- Poorly defined area of blue-white spots or "pimples"
- Linear lesions forming a lacy-appearing network of lesions
- Gradual increase in size of affected area
- Lesions occasionally erode to form painful ulcers
Hair loss

Signs and tests:

Your physician will suspect lichen planus based on the distinctive appearance of the lesions. Your dentist may diagnose oral lichen planus based on the distinctive appearance of mouth lesions. A skin lesion biopsy or biopsy of a mouth lesion can confirm the diagnosis.