Lichen Planus: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Lichen Planus
Lichen planus is a non-contagious inflammatory immune skin disease causing itchy purplish bumps or patches on the skin, and may affect the mouth, nails, and hair. It is chronic, comes in flares, and often improves over time. It is managed with creams and immune-suppressing treatments to ease itching and inflammation.
What is Lichen Planus?
Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory skin disease thought to result from an immune-system disorder that makes it attack skin cells or mucous membranes. It is not contagious and does not pass between people, and has nothing to do with hygiene, although its appearance may concern the patient.
Lichen planus usually appears on the skin as small, flat-topped bumps or papules that are purplish or reddish-purple and itchy, often appearing on the wrists, ankles, and lower back. It may also affect the mucous membranes inside the mouth (as white lacy lines or ulcers), the nails (splitting and thinning), and the scalp (and may cause scarring hair loss). Its appearance is sometimes linked to certain medications or viral infections such as hepatitis C.
Lichen planus is a chronic condition that comes and goes in flares, and in many skin cases it improves and disappears on its own within months to years, sometimes leaving pigmentation in its place. There is no treatment that cures it permanently, but treatment aims to ease itching and inflammation and speed healing, including topical corticosteroid creams and antihistamines for itching, and in widespread or resistant cases systemic or light therapies prescribed by the doctor. Oral lichen planus needs follow-up because its chronic ulcerative forms warrant monitoring. Evaluation by a dermatologist is therefore important for diagnosis and a suitable plan.
Symptoms
- Small, flat, purplish itchy bumps on the skin (wrists, ankles).
- White lacy lines or ulcers inside the mouth.
- Nail splitting and thinning.
- Scarring hair loss when the scalp is affected.
Causes
- An immune disorder attacking skin cells or mucous membranes.
- A link to certain medications in some cases.
- A link to some viral infections such as hepatitis C.
Diagnosis
- Clinical diagnosis from the characteristic appearance of the lesions.
- A skin biopsy to confirm the diagnosis when needed.
- Tests to rule out a link to medications or viral infection.
Treatment
Symptom relief
- Topical corticosteroid creams and antihistamines for itching.
- Mouth rinses and topical treatments for oral lichen planus.
Widespread or resistant cases
- Systemic or light therapies prescribed by the doctor.
- Reviewing potentially linked medications and treating accompanying causes.
This content is educational and does not replace consulting a dermatologist.
Complications
- Skin pigmentation after the lesions clear.
- Permanent scarring hair loss when the scalp is affected.
- Chronic ulcerative oral lichen planus needs medical monitoring.
Prevention
- There is no proven prevention, and treatment aims to control flares.
- Avoiding mouth irritants (spicy foods, smoking) in oral lichen planus.
- Regular follow-up, especially for chronic oral forms.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for a persistent itchy purplish rash, painful mouth ulcers or white lines, nail changes, or hair loss. Book an appointment with a dermatologist on ClinicsJo for diagnosis and follow-up of chronic oral forms.