Lichen planus

Lichen planus is an inflammatory mucocutaneous condition with characteristi c violaceous polygonal flat-topped papules and plaques. Pruritus is often s evere. Skin lesions may be disfiguring, and involvement of the oral mucosa or genital mucosa in severe cases may be debilitating. Oral lichen planus m ay predispose to the development of squamous cell carcinoma within lesions. Involvement of the scalp and the nails may also occur. While most cases of lichen planus are idiopathic, some may be caused by the ingestion of certa in medications (e.g., gold, antimalarial agents, penicillamine, thiazide di uretics, beta blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, quinidine and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) or linked to hepatitis C virus i nfection. Patients with localized lichen planus are usually treated with po tent topical steroids, while systemic steroids are used to treat patients w ith generalized lichen planus.