Signs and symptoms of oral lichen planus affect the mucous membranes of the mouth. Appearance The lesions may appear as:  Lacy, white, raised patches of tissues Red, swollen, tender patches of tissues Open sores  Location These lesions may appear on the:  Inside of the cheeks, the most common location Gums Tongue Inner tissues of the lips Palate  Pain or discomfort The white, lacy patches may not cause discomfort when they appear on the inside of the cheeks. However, symptoms accompanying red, swollen patches and open sores may include:  Burning sensation or pain Sensitivity to hot, acidic or spicy foods Bleeding and irritation with tooth brushing Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) Painful, thickened patches on the tongue Discomfort when speaking, chewing or swallowing  Other types of lichen planus If you have oral lichen planus, you may have lichen planus lesions affecting other parts of your body.  Skin. Lesions usually appear as purplish, flat-topped bumps that are often itchy. Genitals. Lesions on the female genitalia often cause pain or burning and discomfort with intercourse. The lesions are usually red and eroded and occasionally appear as white areas. Lesions can also occur on male genitalia. Ears. Lichen planus of the ears can lead to hearing loss. Scalp. When skin lesions appear on the scalp, they may cause temporary or permanent hair loss. Nails. Though rare, lichen planus of the toenails or fingernails may result in ridges on the nails, thinning or splitting of nails, and temporary or permanent nail loss. Eyes. Rarely, lichen planus may involve the mucous membrane surfaces of the eyes, and can cause scarring and blindness. Esophagus. Lichen planus of the esophagus is rare, but when it occurs, it may result in a narrowing of the esophagus or the formation of tightened, ringlike bands in the esophagus that can make swallowing difficult. 
signs symptoms oral lichen planus affect mucous membranes mouth  appearance lesions may as:  lacy  white  raised patches tissues red  swollen  tender patches tissues open sores  location lesions may the:  inside cheeks  common location gums tongue inner tissues lips palate  pain discomfort white  lacy patches may cause discomfort inside cheeks  however  symptoms accompanying red  swollen patches open sores may include:  burning sensation pain sensitivity hot  acidic spicy foods bleeding irritation tooth brushing inflammation gums (gingivitis) painful  thickened patches tongue discomfort speaking  chewing swallowing  types lichen planus oral lichen planus  may lichen planus lesions affecting parts body   skin  lesions purplish  flat-topped bumps itchy  genitals  lesions female genitalia cause pain burning discomfort intercourse  lesions red eroded occasionally white areas  lesions can occur male genitalia  ears  lichen planus ears can lead hearing loss  scalp  skin lesions scalp  may cause temporary permanent hair loss  nails  rare  lichen planus toenails fingernails may result ridges nails  thinning splitting nails  temporary permanent nail loss  eyes  rarely  lichen planus may involve mucous membrane surfaces eyes  can cause scarring blindness  esophagus  lichen planus esophagus rare  occurs  may result narrowing esophagus formation tightened  ringlike bands esophagus can swallowing difficult
oral lichen planus