Lichen planus skin disease. Lesions on the inside of the wrist of a 48-year-old female patient, caused by lichen planus. Lichen planus is a chronic sk

Lichen planus skin disease. Lesions on the inside of the wrist of a 48-year-old female patient, caused by lichen planus. Lichen planus is a chronic skin disease characterised by rounded, purple skin eruptions with thickening of the surrounding skin. The cause of lichen planus is obscure. In some cases it may be of nervous or emotional origin, but in others it may be due to drugs (for example, some diuretics and antimalarials have been suggested). Treatment is with topical corticosteroids and with antihistamines to reduce itching. Most cases of lichen planus disappear within two years.