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What is Lichen planus?

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Lichen planus: Skin rash.
Lichen planus: An inflammatory, pruritic disease of the skin and mucous membranes, which can be either generalized or localized. It is characterized by distinctive purplish, flat-topped papules having a predilection for the trunk and flexor surfaces. The lesions may be discrete or coalesce to form plaques. Histologically, there is a "saw-tooth" pattern of epidermal hyperplasia and vacuolar alteration of the basal layer of the epidermis along with an intense upper dermal inflammatory infiltrate composed predominantly of T-cells. Etiology is unknown.
Source - Diseases Database
Lichen planus: an eruption of shiny flat-topped purplish (usually itchy) papules on the wrist and forearms and thighs.
Source - WordNet 2.1

Broader types of Lichen planus:

Patient Profile for Lichen planus: Mostly middle-aged adults; rarely in children.

Complications of Lichen planus: see complications of Lichen planus

Causes of Lichen planus: see causes of Lichen planus

Symptoms of Lichen planus: see symptoms of Lichen planus

Complications of Lichen planus: see complications of Lichen planus

Diagnostic testing: see tests for Lichen planus.

Misdiagnosis: see misdiagnosis and Lichen planus.

Treatments for Lichen planus: see treatments for Lichen planus
Research for Lichen planus: see research for Lichen planus

Hospitalization statistics for Lichen planus: The following are statistics from various sources about hospitalizations and Lichen planus:

0.011% (1,454) of hospital consultant episodes were for lichen planus in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
99% of hospital consultant episodes for lichen planus required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
36% of hospital consultant episodes for lichen planus were for men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
64% of hospital consultant episodes for lichen planus were for women in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
3% of hospital consultant episodes for lichen planus required emergency hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
3.1 days was the mean length of stay in hospitals for lichen planus in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
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