Summary

• An idiopathic inflammatory disease affecting the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes, usually self-limiting in nature.
• Characteristic eruption consists of itchy, shiny, flat-topped violaceous papules and plaques favouring the extremities.
• White net-like patches or ulceration of mucous membranes, nail deformity, scarring alopecia, and other types of skin lesions may also occur.
• Most patients develop the disease between the age of 30 and 60 years.
• Hepatitis C infection may increase susceptibility, especially to oral disease.
• Treatment may involve corticosteroids, retinoids, calcineurin inhibitors, immunosuppressants, and phototherapy.