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| Symptoms: | - Itching in the location of a lesion
- Skin lesion
- Usually located on the inner areas of the wrist, legs, torso, or genitals
- Generalized
- Symmetric appearance
- Single lesion or clusters of lesions, often at sites of skin trauma
- Papule 2 to 4 cm size
- Papules clustered into a plaque or large, flat-topped lesion
- Distinct, sharp borders to lesions
- Possibly covered with fine white streaks or linear scratch marks called Wickham's striae
- Shiny or scaly appearance
- Color dark -- reddish-purple (skin) or gray-white (mouth)
- Possibility of developing blisters or ulcers
- Ridges in the nails (nail abnormalities)
- Dry mouth
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Mouth lesions
- Tender or painful (mild cases may have no discomfort)
- Located on the sides of the tongue or the inside of the cheek
- Occasionally located on the gums
- Poorly defined area of blue-white spots or "pimples"
- Linear lesions forming a lacy-appearing network of lesions
- Gradual increase in size of affected area
- Lesions occasionally erode to form painful ulcers
- Hair loss
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| Signs and tests: | Your physician will suspect lichen planus based on the distinctive appearance of the lesions. Your dentist may diagnose oral lichen planus based on the distinctive appearance of mouth lesions. A skin lesion biopsy or biopsy of a mouth lesion can confirm the diagnosis.
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Review Date: 4/15/2003
Reviewed By: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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