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Living with Lichen planus pemphigoides

A rare skin condition that mixes lichen planus (a purple, bumpy rash) with blistering.

Understanding Lichen planus pemphigoides

Lichen planus pemphigoides is a rare skin condition that crosses over between lichen planus and bullous pemphigoid.

It starts with a rash of shiny, flat-topped, firm purple bumps. People then develop blisters, on both the rash and on normal skin. It can occur at any time in life.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Purple, flat-topped bumps
  • Blisters (skin vesicles)
  • Itching
  • Thickened skin
  • Changes in the lining of the mouth
  • Light streaks on the skin

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 can we tell this apart from other blistering skin conditions?
Which dermatology tests or biopsies do I need?
How can I care for blistered skin?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startany time in life

The exact cause is unknown. Some studies suggest an allergic or immune reaction may be involved.

Skin

Also known as: lp pemphigoides

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Lichen planus pemphigoidesGARD ID 12677 · 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 Lichen planus pemphigoides.

Explore the Lichen planus pemphigoides blog

Explore research for Lichen planus pemphigoides

Explore actively recruiting Lichen planus pemphigoides studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Lichen planus pemphigoides 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

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

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