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 Book by Dr Shah on Lichen Planus
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    Introduction
It is a long standing (chronic), recurring, non-allergic, non-infectious, non-contagious disease of the skin, of which the exact cause is not yet fully understood. It can affect skin, oral mucosa, tongue, scalp, genitals and nails. However, it is less likely that it affects all the areas as stated, at the same time. It has a tendency to relapse after some months or years. Females are more frequently affected as compared to the male counterpart, however, uncommon to find it in children. Over 1.9% of the total population is affected by Lichen Planus. Please examine this photo to check the typical skin lesions of Lichen Planus. The photos can be clicked to enlarge to have better view. Click to see medium size photo. Click to see large size photo. 
Signs and symptoms:The typical appearance of the Lichen Planus eruption is round or irregular shape, raised slightly above the skin level, brown or pinkish or black in color. Skin, Mouth, Nails, Scalp, Genitals: Lichen Planus largely affects skin. It may also affect mouth (oral Lichen Planus), the scalp, nails, or the genitals. It could affect one or more of the said body parts. It is not a rule that every patient with Lichen Planus will have all the said areas affected. In males it could affect the glans of penis and in females the vulva or vagina. It can be said that more areas affected, more difficult to treat. Also, experience says that the oral or genital Lichen Planus is more difficult to treat as compared to that on the skin. Lichen Planus and Hepatitis: Some of the latest studies have shown a co-association of Lichen Planus with a rare variety of Hepatitis-C. It may be noted that the exact connection and causative link has not been established between the two entities. It may be noted that patients with Hepatitis C have some proneness to develop Lichen Planus; the reverse is not true. The typical textbook description goes : Flat-topped shiny polygonal eruptions. Small in size, thickened eruptions, rough and/or oily to touch, dirty look at times. You may find spots either in groups, a few or numerous in number and very often bilateral symmetrical (on both the side of the body, say legs).
At times, one also observes the Lichen Planus eruptions appearing along the line of a scratch mark, called as Koebner's phenomenon. It has an affinity for the genitals are involved. In males, the glans ; while in females the vulva may be affected. The nails when affected tend to become deformed. In short, Lichen Planus affecting the skin, mouth (Oral Lichen Planus) and vaginal LP are some of the most common variants. When the oral mucosa or the genitals are affected, this condition is often neglected, reported late or incorrectly diagnosed. Lichen Planus affecting the food pipe (esophagus) is not a commonly encountered condition. However, some cases have been reported at some institutes. All variants of Lichen Planus respond very well to homeopathic treatment. It can be said with confidence that Lichen Planus is curable using homeopathy. Homeopathy offers excellent results in Lichen Planus of the skin, mouth and genitals; in this order. Lichen Planus after stretch marks:  One of the recent cases documented at Life Force has displayed occurrence of Lichen Planus after stretch marks (striae) on loosing weight. This is called Koebner phenomenon. The Koebner phenomenon denotes development of Lichen planus after trauma to skin. Click to see large size photo.
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