Diseases

Litchen Planus

Back

Lichen planus (lie-kun play-nus) is an inflammatory condition that can affect the skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes. On the skin, lichen planus usually appears as purplish, often itchy, flat-topped bumps, developing over several weeks.

SYMPTOMS

People may experience:

Skin: blister, darkening of the skin, loss of colour, peeling, rashes, small bump, ulcers, or redness
Also common: hair loss, itching, or mouth ulcer

CAUSES

Lichen planus occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks cells of the skin or mucous membranes. No one knows the exact cause of this abnormal immune response. The condition isn't contagious. In some people, certain factors, such as those below, may trigger lichen planus.