Wickham's striae are characteristic of which condition?

• A. Candidiasis
• B. Pemphigus vulgaris
• C. Lichen planus
• D. Oral hairy leukoplakia

Answer: (C)

Wickham's striae are a lace-like network of white lines seen on mucous membranes and are a hallmark of lichen planus. This pattern arises from changes in the epithelium that create intersecting white bands, most commonly observed in the oral cavity where the reticular form shows these delicate lines. In contrast, candidiasis presents with white plaques that can be scraped off, pemphigus vulgaris shows fragile blisters and erosions with a positive Nikolsky sign, and oral hairy leukoplakia appears as non-scrapable, corrugated patches on the tongue, not a lace-like network. Therefore, the best match is lichen planus.