Lichen Planus
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Lichen Planus
Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the skin and mucosal surfaces. There are several clinical types:
- Cutaneous lichen planus
- Mucosal lichen planus
- Lichen planopilaris
- Lichen planus of the nails
- Lichen planus pigmentosus
- Lichenoid drug eruption.
Who gets lichen planus?
Lichen planus affects approximately 1% of the population worldwide, mostly affecting adults aged between 30 to 60 years. It has no strong racial predilection.
Approximately 10% of those affected have lichen planus of the nails while half of those affected have oral lichen planus, which is more common in women than in men.
What causes lichen planus?
Lichen planus is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disorder in which inflammatory cells attack an unknown protein within the skin and mucosal keratinocytes.
Contributing factors to lichen planus may include:
- Genetic predisposition
- Physical and emotional stress
- Injury to the skin; lichen planus often appears where the skin has been scratched or after surgery (koebnerisation)
- Localised skin disease such as herpes zoster
- Systemic viral infection, such as hepatitis C (which might modify self-antigens on the surface of basal keratinocytes)
- Contact allergy, such as to metal fillings in oral lichen planus (rare) and colour photographic developers
- Drugs; gold, quinine, quinidine, and others can cause a lichenoid rash.
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