Lichen Planus Questions & Answers

Updated: Feb 24, 2020
  • Author: Tsu-Yi Chuang, MD, MPH, FAAD; Chief Editor: William D James, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is lichen planus?

What are the signs and symptoms of lichen planus?

Which structures are involved in lichen planus?

What are the variations in presentation of lichen planus?

How is lichen planus diagnosed?

What is the typical disease course of lichen planus?

Which medications are used in the treatment of lichen planus?

What are the treatment options for widespread lichen planus?

What is lichen planus?

What is the pathophysiology in lichen planus?

What causes lichen planus?

What is the prevalence of lichen planus in the US?

How does the prevalence of lichen planus vary by geographic location?

What are the racial predilections for lichen planus?

How does the incidence of lichen planus vary by sex?

How does the prevalence of lichen planus vary by age?

What is the prognosis of lichen planus?

What is included in patient education for lichen planus?

Presentation

What clinical history is characteristic of lichen planus?

Which physical findings are characteristic of lichen planus?

What are the physical findings of mucous involvement in lichen planus?

What are the physical findings of genital involvement in lichen planus?

What are the physical findings of nail involvement in lichen planus?

What are the physical findings of scalp lesions in lichen planus?

How do the physical findings of lichen planus vary by subtype?

What are potential complications in lichen planus?

DDX

What are the differential diagnoses for Lichen Planus?

Workup

Which lab study findings are diagnostic of lichen planus?

What is the role of imaging studies in the workup of lichen planus?

What are the histopathologic features of lichen planus?

Treatment

How is lichen planus treated?

Which specialist should be consulted in the treatment of lichen planus?

Medications

Which medications are used in the treatment of cutaneous lichen planus?

Which medications are used in the treatment of lichen planus of the oral mucosa?

Which medications are used in the treatment of widespread lichen planus?

Which medications in the drug class Antibiotics, Other are used in the treatment of Lichen Planus?

Which medications in the drug class Immunosuppressants are used in the treatment of Lichen Planus?

Which medications in the drug class Retinoid-like Agents are used in the treatment of Lichen Planus?

Which medications in the drug class Corticosteroids are used in the treatment of Lichen Planus?