clinical features
Last reviewed 04/2022
Characterized by intensely itchy shiny red or purple flat-topped papules on the skin.
A more detailed description of the classical features of lichen planus lesions is presented below (1):
- flat-topped
- shiny
- violaceous (pink/mauve/purple - the colour of the violaceae family of plants)
- polygonal
- fine, white lines forming a lace-like pattern on the surface - Wickham's striae
Other features:
- typically they are seen on the inner aspects of the elbows, on the wrists, shins and sacral area
- there may also be asymptomatic lesions on the inside of the mouth or on the genitalia
- rarely the scalp is involved - can be affected in 2 main ways:
- cicatricial alopecia
- lichen planopilaris (follicular lichen planus) - red spiny papules can be seen around a cluster of hairs (1)
- may be intense residual pigmentation after lesions resolve
Reference:
- 1. Primary Care Dermatology Society. Lichen planus
- 2. Dermatology in Practice (2004); 12 (2): 25-6.