Lichen planus
Overview
Lichen planus is a rash that can affect different parts of your body, including the inside of your mouth. See a GP if you think you might have it.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of lichen planus include: clusters of shiny, raised, purple-red blotches on your arms, legs or body (you may see fine white lines on the blotches) – the rash may be harder to see on black or brown skinwhite patches on your gums, tongue or the insides of your cheeksburning and stinging in your mouth, especially when you eat or drinkbald patches appearing on your scalpsore red patches on your vulvarough, thinning nails with grooves onring-shaped purple or white patches on your penis You may only have 1 of these symptoms. Lichen planus on your skin can be very itchy, but not always.
Treatment
Lichen planus on your skin usually gets better on its own in about 9 to 18 months. Creams and ointments from a GP can help control the rash and ease itching. If creams and ointments do not work, or you have severe lichen planus, steroid tablets or treatment with a special kind of light (light therapy) can help. Lichen planus in your mouth can last for several years. Mouthwashes and sprays from a GP can help ease symptoms like burning or sore gums. You cannot catch lichen planus and it does not usually come back once it's cleared up.