What Is A Lichen Planus?

It is defined as a disorder in which there is a formation of the lesions on the skin as well as mucus membrane. It occurs when there is a problem in the immune reaction and it can be transferred to cancer.

What are the signs and symptoms of Lichen planus?
It includes the bilateral presentation and occurs on the skin. In this very rare individuals are involved. One third of the patients have skin lesions and one fourth of the patients have a mucus lesions. Less than half of the patients have both skin and mucus lesions. It occurs in both the males as well as females who are of middle age. It can involve many areas of the body. The skin lesions occur on the wrists as well as forearms. They can also occur on the knee as well as thigh. Some portion of the trunk along with a scalp and nails are also involved. In few cases the genital organ are also involved. The oral lesions occur on the tongue, lips, cheek mucosa along with the palate as well as gingiva.

What are the different types of Lichen planus?
It includes the reticular, erosive, plaque, atrophic and bullous type. The reticular type of lichen planus has the features which include the multiple white lines which are raised and forms laces. These are parallel in outline. They occur on the buccal mucosa as well as vestibule. They do not show any symptoms.

The erosive type of lichen planus has the features which include the formation of ulcers and white areas. There is a white zone where the eroded areas meet the epithelium which is normal. These lesions are present on the buccal mucosa along with the vestibule. They have a lot of pain and a burning sensation. Most of the time patient takes a liquid diet. If the mucosa is palpated it leads to pain as well as bleeding.

The plaque type of lichen planus has the features which include the white area which is raised or flat. It mainly involves the dorsal part of tongue and gives rise to irregular surfaces. It resembles a leukoplakia.

The atrophic type of lichen planus has the features which include the smooth area on the oral mucosa. It occurs with or without the striae. It normally involves the gingival or buccal mucosa. On eating hot and spicy food there is a pain and burning sensation.

The bullous type of lichen planus has the features which include the formation of large fluid filled blisters. They have red base which ruptures soon after the formation. It leads to formation of painful ulcers. It occurs with the striae. It normally involves the buccal mucosa.

How lichen planus can be diagnosed?
It includes the use of histo pathological methods along with a biopsy. The affected part is cut and fixed with a formalin solution and is looked under the microscope.

How Lichen planus can be treated?
It includes that there is no specific treatment for this disorder. One must identify the cause for it and must act against it. In most of the cases corticosteroids can also be used. They must be applied topically. Systemic application must be avoided as long as possible. One can also give steroids in the lesions as in the form of injections and are known as intra lesion administration. Anti psychotic drugs can also be given in few cases.