[Successful combination of topical corticosteroids and trichloroacetic acid for the treatment of verrucous lichen planus].

BACKGROUND

Verrucous or hypertrophic lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by extremely pruritic thick hyperkeratotic plaques and is resistant to topical treatment.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Herein, we report three clinical cases of hypertrophic lichen planus successfully treated with a combination of topical steroids daily in occlusion and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) 50% with peeling every week.

DISCUSSION: TCA is involved in regulating inflammation and scarring. Through its keratolytic properties it enhances the efficacy of topical steroids, whose action is hindered by hyperkeratosis.

CONCLUSION

The combination of TCA and topical steroids offers a good alternative for the treatment of hypertrophic lichen planus.