Lichen Planus

(VA)

I have a rash (actually several types it seems) that appears annually. Some look like an eczema rash, but others are bumps which fill with fluid when scratched. Then when the skin is removed, its red (doesn't bleed, but oozes for a bit). It doesnt seem to heal. It can be scratched about a week later and then it will fill again and the skin removed for the same thing.

See attachment.

Lichen Planus

I think this rash is Lichen Planus, an inflammatory condition of the skin that can occur anywhere, but commonly on the wrists and ankles, sometimes even in the mouth and in women, in the vagina.

It is classically violatious (violet coloured) and can be either reticular (little white streaks in the lesions called Wickhams striae), bullous (fluid filled) or erosive where the skin is raw.

It is not infectious, but commonly recurs with an average span of 4 years or so. It can be associated with some drugs too.

It can be treated with topical steroid creams and sometimes oral steroids, although it is not always necessary to treat.

The lesions on your palms maybe similar, although they could also be pompholyx eczema which again is treated with topical steroid creams.

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