Stress - trigger factor in Lichen planus.

Lichen planus is an immune-mediated idiopathic inflammatory dermatosis with a prevalence that remains high among middle-aged adults. The typical lesions are represented by purple, pruritic papules located on the extremities, trunk and genital region. Several exogenous agents have been implicated in the etiology of the condition, among which we can list viruses, drugs and contact allergens. Although the role of psychological factors in the occurrence of lichen planus has not been fully demonstrated, stress has an important impact in the initiation and especially in the maintenance of the disease. Along with drug treatment, stress management with the help of psychotherapy and a multidisciplinary collaboration between the dermatologist and the psychiatrist would be of real help for patients with severe forms of the disease. Research in the field of psychodermatology is currently a subject of real interest, considering the increasingly frequent association between skin conditions and some psychoemotional dysfunctions such as stress, anxiety, depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]