What should you know about vesicular lichen planus?

Lichen planus is an inflammatory skin condition that may cause itchy, raised or purple-toned bumps. In a vesicular pattern, small fluid-filled areas can occur around or within affected skin. Blisters may break and leave soreness, crusting, or temporary colour change. Similar-looking eruptions include eczema, infection, medicine reactions, and autoimmune blistering disorders, so appearance alone cannot establish the cause.

A dermatologist may examine the skin and mouth, review medicines, and take a small skin sample when the diagnosis is uncertain. Keep areas clean, avoid scratching, and do not deliberately pop blisters. Topical corticosteroids may calm local inflammation; oral corticosteroid treatment or another prescription may be considered when disease is extensive or difficult to control. Use medicines exactly as directed.

Seek prompt medical care for rapidly spreading blisters, fever, pus, severe pain, extensive raw skin, or involvement of the eyes, mouth, or genitals. Urgent help is needed for breathing difficulty or facial swelling. A blistering rash after a new medicine also warrants prompt review.

Ask whether a biopsy is needed, how to dress broken blisters, which medicines may be triggering the eruption, and how to monitor treatment effects.