Lichen Planopilaris - Perri

What is Lichen Planopilaris? Lichen Planopilaris is a rare form of scarring alopecia where the immune system directly attacks stem cells in hair follicles. This causes hair strands to fall out easily, leaving exposed hair follicles to close up and scar. Symptoms Though some patients may be asymptomatic, some signs of Lichen Planopilaris include:  Itching […]

Lichen Sclerosus, also called Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus, is a skin condition that can occur at any age and equally amongst the sexes and I encounter this skin disease in both my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  Clinically, Lichen Sclerosus begins as white lichenoid flat topped polygonal papules, atrophic patches and plaques.  Follicular comedonal […]

Keratosis Lichenoides Chronica is a rare skin condition that I occasionally encounter in my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  Keratosis Lichenoides Chronica occurs in childhood and may be seen soon after birth.  Clinically, patients have keratotic papules with a prominent keratotic plug and scaling, which may be seen in a background of telangiectasias.  […]

Lichen Striatus is a condition similar to Lichen Planus that I encounter in my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  Lichen Striatus is most common in young children and begins as a narrow band of lichenoid red slightly scaly papules that progress linearly along Blaschko’s Lines.  Most commonly Lichen Striatus occurs on the arms […]

Lichen Nitidus is a skin disease that I encounter frequently in both my The Woodlands and Conroe dermatology offices.  Although Lichen Nitidus shares some features with Lichen Planus, it is unique both clinically and histologically.  Lichen Nitidus typically presents as small pinhead size dome shaped papules which are usually flesh colored and they have a […]

The first step in the treatment plan for Lichen Planus is the identification and removal of any lichenoid triggers so some medical detective work is undertaken in both my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  Medicines are a major trigger for Lichen Planus and some major lichenoid causing drugs are: Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), Antimalarials, NSAIDS, Gold (for […]

Erythema Dyschromican Perstans is a relatively uncommon form of Lichen Planus, however I do encounter it rather frequently in both my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  Most of the patients I have diagnosed with Erythema Dyschromicum Perstans are females between ages 20 and 40 but it can occur in men as well.  The […]

Lichen Planus Actinicus is a skin condition most commonly encountered in The Middle East, Africa and India and I only occasionally encounter it in my The Woodlands and Conroe dermatology offices.  Lichen Planus Actinicus is most often seen in children and young adults and is induced by the sun so it is most often seen […]

Lichen Planus Pigmentosus is a version of Lichen Planus usually only found in Central America, Japan and India so I rarely encounter this skin disease in my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  Typically, patients with Lichen Planus Pigmentosus are between age 20 and 50 and is equally common amongst the sexes.  Lichen Planus […]

Squamous Cell Cancer can arise in patients with long standing lichen planus lesions and I occasionally encounter this situation in my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology clinics.  The most common form of Lichen Planus to develop skin cancer is Hypertrophic Lichen Planus on the lower extremities.  Additionally, patients with Ulcerative Lichen Planus in the […]

Liver disease is a major trigger for patients to develop Lichen Planus and I frequently encounter hepatitis associated lichenoid rashes in both my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  The three main liver diseases responsible for Lichen Planus are Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B immunizations, and Primary Biliary Cirrhosis.  Patients with Hepatitis C have typical […]

Bullous Lichen Planus is a form of Lichen Planus in which bullae (blisters) accompany the lichenoid papules and plaques and I occasionally encounter this version in my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  There are two versions of Bullous Lichen Planus: 1. Classic Lichen Planus with Bullae 2. Lichen Planus Pemphigoides.  Bullae can erupt […]

Ulcerative Lichen Planus is most commonly encountered on the mucosal membranes and rarely on the skin and is one of the versions of Lichen Planus that I treat in both my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  Occasionally, Ulcerative Lichen Planus can occur on the feet and toes resulting in permanent destruction of the […]

Hypertrophic Lichen Planus is most commonly found on the shins of affected patients and I occasionally encounter this version in my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  Clinically, Hypertrophic Lichen Planus lesions appear like warty plaques with lichenoid papules seen on the periphery.  Hypertrophic Lichen Planus can be very difficult to distinguish from Hypertrophic Cutaneous […]

Annular Lichen Planus is a type of Lichen Planus in which the lesions are in a circular configuration and I occasionally encounter this presentation in my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  Men account for 90% of all cases of Annular Lichen Planus and the majority of lesions are found in the axilla, groin, and […]

Linear Lichen Planus is a rare form that occurs in 1% of all patients with Lichen Planus and I do occasionally encounter this variant in my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  Linear Lichen Planus consists of lichenoid papules that are arranged in a linear pattern along Lines of Blaschko.  Linear Lichen Planus most […]

Lichen Planus is a very common condition that I encounter on an almost daily basis in my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  There are many different clinical manifestations of Lichen Planus but the classic clinical picture are small pink/red/purple papules in a polygonal shape that have a small white lacy scale on the […]