Lichen planus is marked by rashes on the skin and it can occur on any part of the body. This is a chronic type of rash occurring recurrently and the affected person will get small bumps on the skin. There can be dark scaly patches on the skin caused by inflammation and for some adults in can occur on the genitals and even on their mouth. There is no definite cause for its occurrence and this type of rash can be resolved by application of topical creams.
Causes :
What causes lichen planus is not known, but people who have hepatitis C liver infection is likely to get skin rashes. Lichen is the name of a plant that is found on rocks and the term “planus” means flat structure in Latin.
Prolonged use of drugs that contain arsenic or strong chemicals can cause skin rash that resemble lichen planus. People who work in environment that is polluted with chemicals are at risk of getting skin rashes. Drugs that contain quinidine can trigger formation of bumps on extremities of the body. People who have undergone bone marrow transplant have increased chance of getting lichen planus.
Diagnoses :
Your doctor may do skin biopsy by testing the sample lesion from the affected part of the body. Lichen planus is marked by its appearance and can be easily diagnosed by mere physical examination of the body.
Lichen Planus Symptoms :
For some the onset of tiny lesions on the skin may be sudden and for others it can be slow process. It is quite common for getting skin rashes repeatedly. This disease is marked by the presence of small patches of lesions measuring 2-4 mm in diameter and is mostly found on the legs and lower portion of the body.
However for some it is seen on the mouth and genital area. These lesions develop due to hyper-pigmentation of the skin and are dark brown or violet in color. In rare cases, it may occur on the scalp causing balding.