What Causes Lichen Planus?

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C infection is a recognized trigger for lichen planus. In fact, some experts feel the link between these conditions is so strong that they recommend any patient diagnosed with lichen planus to also be screened for hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver, and the C form of the condition is caused by a virus that can be transmitted through blood. Patients with this form of hepatitis may be asymptomatic for decades, and individuals born between 1945 and 1965 are at five times the risk of this infection compared to the general population. Individuals who received blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992 are also at an increased risk of the condition, and doctors recommend they receive a blood test to screen for the condition. If symptoms of hepatitis C occur, they generally include jaundice, weight loss, an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, swelling in the legs, and easy bruising or bleeding. These symptoms are part of an acute phase that normally occurs up to three months after exposure. Antiviral medication is the standard treatment for this form of hepatitis, and many new drugs are currently being researched.

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