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Definition –Lichen Planus is a skin disease, which is chronic in nature. The cause of Lichen Planus is unknown. It causes small, violet rashes or parts of skin having lines on the top layer of the skin. The disease differs from other eczema primarily because of it violet color.
Description of Lichen Planus - Lichen Planus occurs either on wrists, forearms, ankles, stomach and sacrum. Nails may have vertical lines. There may be grey lines on the mouth or vagina. The disease may remain active for a few months. There are chances of recurrence. Generally, this disease is not painful. In rare cases where the severity is grave, the patient may feel the pain.
Symptoms of Lichen Planus - The severity of the Lichen Planus itches differ from person to person. It could also range from mild to severe. The beginning of the disease could be slow or it could appear suddenly. It may initially for a few weeks or a few months, and keep on recurring at regular intervals for years together. The disease generally occurs in adults and not in children. The rashes are violet or purple in color, about two to four mm in length, with borders. When the disease attacks for the first time, new rashes will appear near small scratches on the skin. The pigmentation of the skin increases.
Appearance of Lichen Planus - How the lichen Planus looks would depend upon the area on infection, whether the disease is in mouth or vagina, or whether it is on the skin.
- Lichen Planus on Skin: Violet or purple spots appear on the skin, generally on the inner wrists, forearms, below the knees, and on the lower back.
- Hypertrophic lichen Planus: Is a subtype of lichen Planus. The rashes are thick and reddish-brown in color and are covered with scales. They can appear anywhere on the body. The rashes are very itchy.
- Mucous membranes: The occurrence of Lichen Planus in the mouth is common. A white lace like rash appears on the inner lining of the cheeks .The rash in the mouth appears before it appears on the skin.
- Erosive lichen Planus: It is quite rare, but it is quite painful. The patient gets mouth ulcers repeatedly.
Lichen Planus can appear on the female genitals, and also in the vagina. A person can confuse this disease with sexually transmitted diseases. However, this disease is not transmitted sexually. It is not contagious.
Diagnosis of lichen Planus is simple because of its color. A biopsy may be done sometimes. The cause of lichen Planus is not identifiable in most of the cases. It could be due to use of some chemicals or over exposure to certain chemicals or drugs. Mostly the intensity of lichen Planus is mild and may not require any treatment at all. A cream may be prescribed in mild cases. In severe infection, doctors may prescribe antibiotics. For mouth ulcers, the doctor may suggest the use of mild mouthwashes and may also give painkillers.
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