Skin Disorders and Treatment

Acrochordons
Acanthosis Nigricans
Actinic keratosis
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Alopecia Areata
Anal Warts
Angioma
Amoebiasis
Aphthous Ulcer
Athlete's Foot
Atopic Dermatitis
Baldness
Blackheads
Blue Nevi
Browen's Disease
Bullous Pemphigoid
Candidiasis
Cavernous Hemangioma
Cellulite
Chilblains
Chapped Lips
Cracked Heels
Cysts
Dandruff
Dark Circles
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatitis
Dermatofibroma
Dry Lips
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Eczema
Enlarged Pores
Epidermolysis Bullosa
Erythroderma
Eye Stye
Facial Rashes
Fibroadenoma
Flexural Psoriasis
Fordyce's Condition
Folliculitis
Freckles
Furunculosis
Genital Herpes
Granuloma Annulare
Grovers Disease
Hand Dermatitis
Heat Rash
Herpes Simplex
Herpes Zooster
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Hirsutism
Hot Tub Folliculitis
Ichthyosis
Impetigo
Ingrown Toe Nail
Intertrigo
Keloid
Keratoacanthoma
Keratosis Pilaris
Leucoderma
Lichen Planus
Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen Simplex Chronicus
Lichen Straitus
Liver Spots
Lupus Erythematosus
Lymes Disease
Lymphomatoid Papulosis
Mastocytosis
Melasma
Morton's Neuroma
Mucocutaneous Candidiasis
Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum
Paget's Disease
Pemphigus Vulgaris
Pityriasis Versicolor
Pityriasis Rosea
Pruritis Ani
Shingles
Tinea Versicolor
Tinea Cruris
Venous Angioma
Vulvodynia
Xerosis

Lichen Planus

Lichen planus is a skin disease. It mostly appears as purple or reddish-purple bumps on the skin. Lichen planus may cause a small number of skin lesions or less often affect a wide area of the skin and mucous membranes. In 85% of cases it clears from skin surfaces within 18 months but it may persist longer especially when affecting the mouth or genitals. Lichen planus generally occurs at or after middle age. It is less common in children. The initial attack may last for weeks to months and then recur for years. Women are affected somewhat more than men; the majority of sufferers are between the ages of 30 and 60. Oral lichen planus is an inflammatory condition affecting the lining of the mouth. It occurs most often on the inside of the cheeks, but can affect the gums, tongue, lips and other parts of the mouth. Occasionally oral lichen planus involves the throat or the esophagus.

Lichen Planus Causes

Possible causes of oral lichen planus include non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs, iodides, tetracycline, gold, streptomycin, hydrochlorothiazide, dental fillings containing mercury in the form of amalgam and rough fillings. People who have lichen planus in the mouth may be allergic to certain medications, ingredients in candy or gum, or products used during dental procedures. Lichen planus is not contagious.
A type of inflammation develops in the skin which causes the rash. However, the cause of the inflammation is not known. One theory is that the immune system may be 'triggered' by a virus or other factor in the environment to attack cells on the skin which leads to the inflammation.

Lichen Planus Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of lichen planus include:

• Rows of flat-topped bumps that may vary in color from purple to pink to red
• Itching, which may be severe
• Soreness or a burning sensation when involving the mucous membranes
• Grooving, splitting, thinning or nail loss when involving the nails
• Redness, irritation, hair thinning and hair loss when involving the scalp
• Ridges in the nails
• Dry mouth
• Metallic taste in the mouth

Lichen Planus Treatment

Prolonged treatment may be needed during outbreaks of the rash. However, between outbreaks, no treatment is needed.
Topical retinoic acid cream and other ointments or creams may reduce itching and inflammation and may aid healing.  Occlusive dressings may be placed over topical medications to protect the skin from scratching.

When extensive parts of the body are affected then stronger treatments are necessary and these are usually supervised by a hospital specialist. This may be tablets or on occasion ultra-violet light therapy.

Your dermatologist may have to make sure that the sores are not caused by yeast or an infection and are not canker sores. Sometimes, the biopsy tissue must be studied by a special technique and blood tests may be needed to rule out other oral diseases.

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