Lichen Planus is an inflammatory condition which occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks the cells of your skin or mucous membranes. This may appear on your skin as purple, itchy or flat topped bumps. When this condition affects your mouth or other mucous membranes it will form lacy white patches that may at times have painful sores.
What causes Lichen Planus?
This condition is considered an autoimmune disorder, in which your inflammatory cells attack unknown proteins of the skin or mouth. Other factors that may cause Lichen Planus are as follows:
- Family history
- Physical and emotional stress
- Skin injuries
- Skin diseases such as Herpes Zoster
- Viral infections such as Hepatitis C
Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic finds that the signs and symptoms of lichen planus vary depending on the areas affected. Typical signs and symptoms are:
- Purplish, flat bumps, most often on the inner forearm, wrist or ankle, and sometimes the genitals
- Itching
- Blisters that break to form scabs or crusts
- Lacy white patches in the mouth or on the lips or tongue
- Painful sores in the mouth or vagina
- Hair loss
- Change in scalp color
- Nail damage or loss
Treatment
This inflammatory condition will typically go away on its own but if the symptoms become bothersome we may recommend oral antihistamine or topical creams.
Contact Bay Dermatology
The experts at Bay Dermatology are here to answer all your questions. We look forward to bringing back your skin to its natural beauty.