There is a clear difference between glossy moss and flatulent moss. Glossy moss lesions are small, pinhead to corn-sized papules that are close to the colour of the skin and are mainly found on the genitals, chest and abdomen. Occasionally it may be pruritic, whereas hyperpigmentation of lichen planus is common and patients often have itchy lesions.
In addition, the mouth is involved in more than half of all cases of lichen planus, but glossy moss rarely involves the mouth.