Guide To The Symptoms Of Lichen Planus

Hair Loss

Although it is relatively less common than other forms of lichen planus, some patients may develop a form of the illness that affects the scalp. These patients may notice hair loss and scalp discoloration. Individuals may notice they lose more hair than usual after washing or brushing their hair. Some may see small patches of thinning hair or baldness on their scalp. Since hair loss can occur with several thyroid and autoimmune disorders, patients experiencing this symptom may wish to have blood tests to check their thyroid function. Tests may be needed to rule out autoimmune conditions.

Doctors may also need to perform a pull test to establish the shedding stage of the patient's hair. For this simple test, the doctor will gently pull several dozen hairs on the patient's head to check how many hairs pull free. Some patients may need to have a scalp biopsy. If lichen planus is determined to be the cause of the patient's hair loss, doctors may recommend treatments to encourage hair growth. Patients should see their hair growth return to normal once lichen planus has been successfully treated.

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