Palmoplantar lichen planus. Case report

Abstract

Lichen planus is an inflammatory, pruritic disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes. It is characterized by typical violaceous, polygonal papules with fine scales and Wickham striae, predominantly affecting the limbs and trunk, with an unknown etiology. Clinical case: This report describes the case of a 35-year-old woman with a history of migraines who, four days after receiving the influenza vaccine, began to develop skin lesions with intense itching and pain. These manifested as red purpuric lesions along the edges of both heels, along with papules on the soles of both feet, palms of the hands, and isolated areas on the arms and legs. A skin biopsy of one of the papular lesions revealed a diagnosis of palmoplantar lichen planus. It is rare for lichen planus to initially present with exclusive involvement of the palms and/or soles. In such cases, the clinical presentation is nonspecific, and only a biopsy confirms the diagnosis. Palmoplantar lichen planus is an uncommon variant. What is novel in this case is its onset following administration of the Cuban influenza vaccine, which acted as a triggering factor despite the disease’s unknown cause. The lesions gradually improved and eventually disappeared slowly and progressively.