Hypertrophic lichen planus

This code represents a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by thickened, often purplish, scaly plaques. These lesions typically present with a warty or verrucous surface, distinguishing them from other forms of lichen planus. It is a variant of lichen planus, primarily affecting the lower extremities.

Use this code when documentation specifically identifies hypertrophic lichen planus, often noted by its characteristic verrucous or warty appearance. This diagnosis is typically made by a dermatologist based on clinical examination and sometimes confirmed by biopsy. Documentation should clearly differentiate it from other forms of lichen planus.

• Ensure documentation specifies "hypertrophic" to differentiate from other lichen planus variants (e.g., L43.1, L43.2).
• Do not confuse with lichen simplex chronicus (L28.0) or other forms of chronic dermatitis, which may also present with thickened skin.
• If an underlying cause (e.g., drug-induced) is identified, sequence the code for the underlying cause first, if applicable, followed by this code.