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General health information

Lichen planus

Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition of the skin or mucous membranes. It can affect the skin, mouth, genitals, scalp or nails. Symptoms are often not dangerous, but can last a long time and sometimes cause scarring or permanent damage. Oral and genital forms need monitoring, and follow-up matters in some forms because of a small risk of cancerous change.

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  • Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition of the skin or mucous membranes.
  • It can affect the skin, mouth, genitals, scalp and nails.
  • It is not infectious and is not caused by something you have done wrong.
  • Some forms resolve by themselves, but others may persist or return.
  • Mouth, genital, scalp or nail symptoms need extra follow-up.
  • A doctor also needs to consider medicine reactions or other causes that look similar.

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L
Lichen sclerosusLichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory condition mainly affecting genital skin. It often affects the vulva, the area around the anus, or the penis and foreskin, and can also occur in children. Without appropriate treatment, skin can become thin, white, painful or scarred. Professional treatment with a strong anti-inflammatory cream and monitoring are important. There is a small risk of cancer in skin affected for a long time.
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Sensitive to certain vegetables, fruit or nutsItching, tingling or mild swelling in the mouth and throat soon after raw fruit, raw vegetables or some nuts may be pollen-food syndrome, also called oral allergy syndrome. Proteins in the food resemble pollen you are allergic to. Symptoms are often local and cooked food is sometimes tolerated, but a primary food allergy may cause a more severe reaction. Have the pattern assessed and do not try a suspect food again yourself if you have had throat symptoms or a whole-body reaction.
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Bald patchesBald patches are a pattern, not a diagnosis. Causes include alopecia areata, scalp fungal infection, hair pulling, scarring or other skin disease. Distinguishing them matters: fungal infection may spread to others and scarring may cause permanent damage.