Lichen planus

Lichen planus is a chronic skin condition. It causes itchy, flat, scaly patches on the wrists, legs, trunk, or genitals. It can also affect the inside of the mouth and vagina. There it resembles a white spider web. It may ulcerate. Rarely, it can also become cancerous. The scalp and fingernails can also be affected. It may become wart-like in thickness. Lichen planus may continue on and off for months or years. Scratching makes this condition worse.
A 53-year-old woman presents with intensely itchy skin lesions and burning in her
mouth, which makes eating difficult. These signs and symptoms have become progressively
evident during the past several weeks. Examination of her skin and oral
cavity reveals violaceous, polygonal papules, mainly on the flexural aspect of the
wrists and ankles and in the lumbar region, as well as erosions associated with a lacelike,

white-line network apparent in the posterior buccal mucosa. How should this manage?
The major burdens of lichen planus are itching and residual hyperpigmentation in the cutaneous form and pain and
difficulties with eating in the oral erosive form.
• With the exception of the cutaneous form, which generally heals within 1 year, lichen planus is a chronic condition.
• Given reports of a significant association between lichen planus and infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), HCV
serologic testing should be considered in all affected patients.
• In the case of lesions that persist despite treatment, biopsy specimens should be assessed for early dysplasia or
squamous-cell carcinoma, since these conditions have been reported in association with lichen planus.

Most lichen planus is relatively mild. Affected individuals who do not have symptoms do not need treatment. Ultimately, there is no agreed-upon cure for this condition.

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6294202302428872992#editor/target=page;pageID=6940748946264721553;onPublishedMenu=pages;onClosedMenu=pages;postNum=3;src=pagenameIf the itch or appearance of the rash are unpleasant, topical corticosteroid creams may be of help. Topical steroid creams that, for example, are unwrapping or taped at bedtime may also be useful when practical. For localized, itchy, thick lesions, injections ofmay be given.may blunt the itch, particularly if it is only moderate. This effect is in part due to the sedative effect of antihistamines.