Inflammatory disease of certain areas of the skin, characterized by a violation of pigmentation, peeling, hair loss and itching in medical practice is called lichen. As a rule, this ailment is infectious or fungal in nature. In this article, we will try to understand how lichens look. After all, there are several forms of this disease.
Pink lichen
The disease is allergic and infectious in nature and occurs in people of all age groups. What do lichens of this species look like? On the skin of the back and torso, scaly, rounded spots of light pink color appear . As a rule, they are no more than three centimeters in diameter. Moreover, at first one, the so-called maternal spot is formed. After a few days, its central part begins to peel, wrinkle and takes on a pale yellowish tint. A week later, similar rashes of a smaller size appear in the chest and back. They are not inclined to merge. Rashes cause discomfort and itching.
Pityriasis versicolor
Under this name in medicine is understood dermatosis of fungal nature. What do lichen lichen look like? The disease begins with the formation of a round single spot of a pink hue. Then exactly the same rashes occur on the stomach, chest, back and scalp. In this case, skin changes are not inflammatory. They have a yellowish-brown color, and when scraping, a slight peeling is noticeable. Spots tend to merge and grow. Itching, as a rule, is not observed. The predisposing factor to the occurrence of this ailment is excessive sweating (especially for obese people), as well as increased ambient temperature.
Shingles
The most susceptible to the disease are adults and older people. Provoking moments are stresses, a decrease in immunity and infectious diseases. What does shingles look like ? This pathology is characterized by inflammation of the nerve ganglia. The course of the disease can be very diverse, from minor rashes to damage to the central nervous system. The disease is preceded by painful sensations throughout the body. Four days later, small vesicles appear, which, after some time, turn into crusts. In some cases, peeling is possible.
Ringworm
It is exclusively fungal in nature, affecting the scalp, smooth skin and, in rare cases, the legs. What do lichens of this species look like? A characteristic sign of the disease is severe peeling with the formation of gray pityriasis. On the head, as a rule, foci of baldness appear. Often there is breaking off hair almost at the root itself. In affected areas of lichen, erythema with vesicles, covered with a light coating, occurs. Spots tend to increase.
Lichen red
The second name of the disease is dermatosis. The causes of the disease are various kinds of viral, neurogenic, allergic, endocrine and infectious factors. What does lichen look like in a person? This form of the disease affects the mucous membranes, skin, nails and hair. Rashes are localized on the surface of the forearm, lower legs, trunk, genitals, and oral cavity. They are irregularly shaped papules of red color with a depression in the center. They are characterized by a peculiar waxy gloss, the presence of plaques and a small circulatory network.