What is lichen planus and who effected with it?

Lichen planus primarily reason an itchy skin rash. In some individuals it additionally affects different elements of the body like the mouth, genitals, nails and hair. In most cases the condition goes inside 6-18 months. Treatment, unremarkably with a steroid cream or ointment, typically eases the itch and will scale back the rash till the condition clears.

What is lichen planus and who effected with it?

Lichen planus may be a condition that primarily affects the skin to cause associate itchy skin rash. In some cases it affects the mouth, genitals, hair, nails, and rarely, different elements of the body.

About one in fifty individuals develop lichen. It happens equally in men and ladies. Over 2 thirds of cases occur in individuals aged 30-60 years. However, it will occur at any age. It’s not inherited disease. It’s not an infection and therefore the rash cannot be caught or passed on to others.

Causes of Lichen Planus?

The explanation for lichen isn't illustrious. A sort of inflammation develops within the skin that causes the rash. However, the explanation for the inflammation isn't illustrious. One theory is that the system could also be triggered by an outbreak or different think about the setting to attack cells within the skin that ends up in the inflammation.

A rash terribly kind of like lichen often develops from an illustrious cause, however this is often rare. For example:

•A rash kind of like lichen happens as a rare side-effect to some medicines. This is often referred to as a lichenoid drug eruption. For example: antimalarials, beta blockers, anti-inflammatory drug medicines, diuretic drug diuretics and gold injections. The rash clears inside many weeks once stopping a medication that caused it.

•Lichen planus within the mouth is typically as a result of an allergy to mercury fillings in teeth •      A rash kind of like lichen often develops once contact with sure chemicals employed in color photographic developing.

What will lichen seem like and what square measure the symptoms?

Lichen planus of the skin.

The typical rash is tiny, red-purple bumps (papules). The bumps square measure sometimes shiny and flat-top (planus suggests that flat). They vary in size from a pinhead to concerning one cm across. The quantity of flat-top bumps that develop varies. The rash will seem anyplace on the body however is presumably to occur on the inner wrists, lower legs and lower back.

Fine white streaks typically develop on the highest of every bump. This square measure referred to as Wickham's striae.

The itch will vary from delicate to severe. A severe itch is common and is commonly the worst issue concerning lichen. The itch could disturb sleep and have an effect on your quality of life. The itch is uncommon therein affected individuals tend to rub the rash instead of scratch to ease the itch.

Sometimes the rash develops quickly over many days. Generally every bump develops bit by bit over many weeks. Generally many bumps type in an exceedingly line on a previous scar. Generally many bumps clump along to create an outsized patch. New bumps could seem over time as older ones square measure dwindling away. Every bump tends to last many months before dwindling away.

In most cases, the rash lasts between 3-18 months so clears. In some cases it persists longer. A non-itchy brown or gray mark could also be left on the skin wherever every bump had been. These could take many months or years to change state utterly.

Lichen planus of the mouth

About 1/2 individuals with a lichen planus rash develop white streaks on the within of the cheeks, gums or tongue. This is often sometimes painless and not fidgety. It should not be detected unless hunted for. Generally lichen planus of the mouth happens with none rash.

Lichen planus also can cause ulcers in your mouth however this is often uncommon. If they occur they'll be terribly sore and ugly. Hot or spicy foods square measure particularly troublesome to eat.

Mouth ulcers will occur with or while not the rash. In some cases, the gums become red and sore.

Lichen planus on different elements of the body.

Most people with lichen planus simply have the rash and/or mouth involvement. However, in some cases different areas of the body are affected. These embody the following:

•Vulva and vagina of ladies – lichen planus will cause painless white streaks on the female genital organ. However, it also can cause painful red sore areas of the female genital organ and entrance to the vagina. This could be sore, fidgety and in severe cases create it terribly painful to own sex. Connective tissue might also develop which can narrow the entrance to the vagina.

•Penis of men - the everyday rash could have an effect on the structure of the erectile organ. Also, white patches could develop on the structure (head of the penis).

•Nails - concerning one in ten individuals with lichen have affected nails. It always causes minor ridging of the nail. Rarely, severe injury to the nail will occur.

•The scalp - which may cause patches of hair loss.

•Rarely - the musculature (gullet), eyelids, ear canal, bladder and arsehole square measure affected.

How is lichen diagnosed?

In most cases the rash is typical and a doctor will diagnose the condition from the planning of the rash. If there's doubt, then a little sample of affected skin may be taken (a biopsy) below local. The diagnostic assay sample is checked out below a magnifier. Characteristic changes within the skin may be seen that confirms the designation.