Lichen planusv

Lichen planusv

• About lichen planus
• Symptoms of lichen planus
• Causes of lichen planus
• Diagnosing lichen planus
• Treating lichen planus
• Complications of lichen planus

About lichen planus

Lichen planus is a non-infectious, itchy rash that can affect many areas of the body.

Affected areas can include the:

• arms, legs and trunk 
• mouth (oral lichen planus)
• nails and scalp
• vulva, vagina and penis

The exact cause of lichen planus is unknown. However, the condition isn’t infectious and doesn’t usually run in families. It can’t be passed on to other people, including sexual partners.

A GP can usually diagnose lichen planus by examining the rash and asking about your symptoms. Oral lichen planus is often diagnosed by a dentist during routine dental check-ups.

Who’s affected by lichen planus

Lichen planus is thought to affect 1-2% of the worldwide population. It’s more common in adults over the age of 40.

Lichen planus of the skin affects men and women equally. However, oral lichen planus is more common in women. The mouth is affected in around 50% of all cases of lichen planus (oral lichen planus).

Treating lichen planus

There’s no single treatment that can cure lichen planus completely. However, treatments are available to help manage the symptoms and make living with it easier. For example, steroid creams or ointments are often used to help relieve the itch and control the rash.

Most cases of lichen planus of the skin clear up on their own within 6 to 9 months. The rash rarely lasts longer than 18 months. However, oral lichen planus and lichen planus that affects the genital area may be more persistent.

Read more about how lichen planus is treated.

Erosive lichen planus

Erosive lichen planus is a rare form of lichen planus that can last a long time. It causes painful ulcers to develop in the mouth and in the genital areas of both males and females.

In some cases, long-term erosive lichen planus can increase the chance of some types of cancer developing.