Lichen Striatus - Information on Lichen Striatus

Lichen Striatus is basically a skin disease typical to youth, but Lichen Striatus may occur to the people at any age. It occurs mainly in children aged between 5 and 15 years. Lichen striatus is a rash that consists of small raised bumps. Lichen Striatus is not related to cancer and it does not involve internal organs.

Lesions usually do not cause irritation, but at times itching is intense. Spontaneous involution occurs.The mean duration is 9.5 months (4 weeks to 3 years). Temporary darkening of the skin follows resolution in 50% of cases. A biopsy is useful when the diagnosis is in doubt. Lesions can be resistant to treatment. However, results of viral testing have not conclusively proven this association. In addition, familial episodes of lichen striatus are not always simultaneous, signifying a possible genetic predisposition as a second explanation. Lichen striatus has been reported to occur shortly following trauma in 2 cases—one following BCG vaccination and another following a prick from a pineapple leaf.

We have provided you here all symptoms, causes and treatment methods of Lichen Striatus.

Causes of Lichen Striatus

The cause of the Lichen Striatus is unknown.

Symptoms of Lichen Striatus

• Ridges in the nails like onycholysis
• Lichen planus can appear on any area of the skin. The most common areas are the inner wrists, the forearms and the ankles.
• Dry mouth.
• Itching in the location of a lesion, mild to severe.
• On the scalp, lichen planus may cause hair loss.
• In the mouth, it looks like lacy white patches on the inside of the cheeks or on the tongue.
• Metallic taste in the mouth.

Treatment of Lichen Striatus

Following are the important treatment of Lichen Striatus

• Because lichen striatus is a self-limited disorder and because the lesions spontaneously regress within 3 -12 months, no treatment is needed. The patient and family should be reassured.
• Lichen striatus of the nail may indicate a protracted course. Nail involvement resolves spontaneously without deformity within 30 months
• Very strong topical steroids under plastic occlusion may help, but intralesional steroids are more effective. Several courses of treatment may be necessary.