Signs and symptoms:
The typical appearance of the Lichen Planus eruption :
Round or irregular shape, raised slightly above the skin level, brown or pinkies or black in color.

The typical textbook description goes :
Flat-topped shiny polygonal eruptions. Small in size, thickened eruptions, rough and/or oily to touch, dirty look at times. You may find spots either in groups, a few or numerous in number and very often bilateral symmetrical (on both the side of the body, say legs).

Clinically, a peculiar appearance classically
described as Wickham's striae is
considered diagnostic of Lichen Planus.

Lichen Planus and Hepatitis:
Some of the latest studies have shown a co-association of Lichen Planus with a rare variety of Hepatitis-C. It may be noted that the exact connection and causative link has not been established between the two entities.
It may be of interest to the readers that like Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, the variety C also finds a promising treatment with homoeopathy. All the three varieties of Hepatitis are caused by virus. They have a tendency to start slowly,gradually and spread in the same fashion.

Intense itching on the parts affected is the most annoying symptom of this condition. Itching may be so severe that it often leads to bruise or bleeding.At times, one also observes the Lichen Planus eruptions appearing along the line of a scratch mark, called as Koebner's phenomenon. It has an affinity for the genitals are involved. In males, the glans ; while in females the vulva may be affected.

The nails when affected tend to become deformed. In short, Lichen Planus affecting the skin, mouth (Oral Lichen Planus) and vaginal LP are some of the most common variants. When the oral mucosa or the genitals are affected, this condition is often neglected, reported late or incorrectly diagnosed. Lichen Planus affecting the food pipe (esophagus) is not a commonly encountered condition. However, some cases have been reported at some institutes.