Skip to content
knowrare
HealthSignal
Your condition community

Living with Atrophic lichen planus

A rare skin condition with pale bumps or patches that have a sunken center, often on the trunk and legs.

Understanding Atrophic lichen planus

Atrophic lichen planus is a rare form of lichen planus that causes pale bumps or patches with a sunken center.

Lichen planus is a condition that affects the skin and/or mouth. In the atrophic form, the center of each patch has broken-down (atrophic) tissue. The patches can appear anywhere but are most common on the trunk and legs, in skin that had classic lichen planus. It can occur at any time in life.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition, but its summary describes the main skin finding:

  • Pale raised bumps (papules) or patches (plaques)
  • Sunken, broken-down tissue at the center
  • Most often on the trunk and legs

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include skin, hair, and nail specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    Autoimmune Association may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
Expert care
Expert lists: Autoimmune Association
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Autoimmune Association and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
How is atrophic lichen planus different from classic lichen planus?
Which treatments help the skin patches?
Should my mouth be checked too?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startany time in life

GARD says the exact cause of atrophic lichen planus is unknown.

Skin

Also known as: atrophic lp; lichen planus atrophicus

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Atrophic lichen planusGARD ID 12675 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Atrophic lichen planus.

Explore the Atrophic lichen planus blog

Explore research for Atrophic lichen planus

Explore actively recruiting Atrophic lichen planus studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Atrophic lichen planus with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper

I can help you find recruiting Atrophic lichen planus studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

Get Signals for Atrophic lichen planus

Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.

HealthStoryfor Atrophic lichen planus

Create a living journal that talks back

HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Atrophic lichen planus experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.

Start your journal

Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.