Lichen Planus

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Lichen Planus Symptoms & Signs

• Itching in the location of a lesion
  • May be mild to severe
• Skin lesion
  • Usually located on the inner areas of the wrist, legs, torso, or genitals
  • Generalized
  • Symmetric appearance
  • Single lesion or clusters of lesions, often at sites of skin trauma
  • Papule 2 to 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