what is lichen planus
Lichen planus is a skin disease. It appears as purple or reddish-purple bumps on the skin. The bumps have flat tops and are uneven in shape. If you look at the bumps closely, you might see white scales or flakes on them. Lichen planus can appear on any area of the skin. The most common areas are the inner wrists, the forearms and the ankles. Lichen planus may also affect the scalp, the nails or the inside of the mouth. On the scalp, lichen planus may cause hair loss. Lichen planus of the nails can cause brittle or split nails. In the mouth, it looks like lacy white patches on the inside of the cheeks or on the tongue. Sometimes lichen planus affects areas of skin where you had a cut or burn. Men and women can get lichen planus, and while it may occur at any age, it usually affects middle-aged adults.
Lichen planus is a common skin disorder that produces shiny, flat-topped bumps that often have an angular shape and that have a reddish-purplish color. Lichen planus can occur anywhere on the skin but is often found on the insides of the wrists and ankles, the lower legs, the back, and the neck. Some people have lichen planus inside the mouth, genital region, hair, and nails. Thick patches of bumps might occur, especially on the shins.
• Lichen planus: Skin rash. • Lichen planus: An inflammatory, pruritic disease of the skin and mucous membranes, which can be either generalized or localized. It is characterized by distinctive purplish, flat-topped papules having a predilection for the trunk and flexor surfaces. The lesions may be discrete or coalesce to form plaques. Histologically, there is a “saw-tooth” pattern of epidermal hyperplasia and vacuolar alteration of the basal layer of the epidermis along with an intense upper dermal inflammatory infiltrate composed predominantly of T-cells. Etiology is unknown. Source – Diseases Database • Lichen planus: an eruption of shiny flat-topped purplish (usually itchy) papules on the wrist and forearms and thighs. Source – WordNet 2.
