Reaction to medicationĪ reaction to certain medications is another possible cause of lichen planus. This is known as an autoimmune reaction and causes the symptoms of lichen planus. In people with lichen planus, it's thought that the immune system becomes overactive, causing an excess amount of proteins to be produced, which inflame the skin. The immune system protects your body against illness and infection by producing antibodies (proteins) that attack bacteria and viruses. Lichen planus isn't infectious, doesn't usually run in families and can't be passed on to others. It's thought to be related to the immune system, or an abnormal response of the immune system to certain medicines. the scalp – red patches can appear around clusters of hair in some cases, permanent hair loss can occur.the nails – which can become thinner, ridged and grooved, or they may become darker, thicker or raised they may sometimes shed or stop growing.Lichen planus can sometimes affect other areas, including: the opening of the vagina can become narrowed.a sticky yellow or green discharge, which may be bloodstained.scar tissue can form, which distorts the shape of the vagina.
#Flare nails skin#
There's no single treatment that can cure lichen planus completely. The mouth is affected in around 50% of all cases of lichen planus (oral lichen planus). However, oral lichen planus is more common in women. Lichen planus of the skin affects men and women equally. It's more common in adults over the age of 40. Lichen planus is thought to affect 1-2% of the worldwide population. Read more about diagnosing lichen planus. Oral lichen planus is often diagnosed by a dentist during routine dental check-ups. Read more about the causes of lichen planus.Ī GP can usually diagnose lichen planus by examining the rash and asking about your symptoms. It can't be passed on to other people, including sexual partners. However, the condition isn't infectious and doesn't usually run in families. The exact cause of lichen planus is unknown. Read more about the symptoms of lichen planus. Lichen planus is a non-infectious, itchy rash that can affect many areas of the body.