How is erosive lichen planus diagnosed?
Although a vulvar expert can suspect this condition by looking at it carefully under magnification (colposcopy), the symptoms and appearance of lichen planus can mimic a number of other vulvar skin conditions. The only way to be sure of the diagnosis of erosive lichen planus is to take a small piece of skin and send it to the laboratory for examination. This is called a biopsy. It can be done in the doctor's office. A local anesthetic is injected to numb the skin (similar to the dentist's office) and then a small piece of skin is removed and sent for analysis. Sometimes, even though the biopsy does not show lichen planus, the patient's story and the vulvar appearance are so suggestive that the doctor will treat you anyway for the condition. | 
