ICD-10: L43Skin & Subcutaneous DiseasesGeneral Severity
Lichen planus
Lichen planus is a non-contagious condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks your skin or mouth, causing itchy, flat, purple-colored bumps.
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Find DermatologistsClinical Overview
Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition, meaning your body’s internal defense system is causing swelling and irritation. It typically appears on the skin, but it can also affect the inside of the mouth, the scalp, the nails, and sometimes even the genital area.
It is not an infection, so you cannot catch it from or pass it to anyone else. It happens because your immune system—the body's way of fighting off germs—becomes overactive and mistakenly attacks your own skin cells.
Common Symptoms
- Small, flat-topped bumps that are purple or reddish in color.
- Intense itching on the skin bumps.
- Lacy white patches or painful sores inside the mouth.
- Ridges or thinning of the fingernails or toenails.
- A burning sensation in the mouth when eating spicy or acidic foods.