Lichen Striatus - Symptoms & Treatment

Lichen striatus is a peculiar disorders characterized by asymptomati rash that consists of small raised bumps. It usually involves the arms and legs, but can affect any part of the body. Females are affected two to three times more than males. This condition most commonly occurs in children between five and ten years of age. Lichen striatus usually does not cause any itching or other symptoms. Lichen striatus is an uncommon self-limiting skin rash that occurs mainly in children. It presents as pink raised spots that join together to form one or more dull red slightly scaly linear bands. Girls out number boys 2 to 1; the mean age at diagnosis is 3 years (6 months to 14 years). Discrete, red or flesh-colored, flat-topped, thickened papules with scale erupt suddenly, then combine in several areas to form a linear band that may extend the entire length of an extremit.

Symptoms of Lichen Striatus

Lichen striatus begins similarly to lichen planus.Lichen Striatus is a skin disordered which with small bumps (papules), but over a period of days expands to form a long streak or band of affected peculiar skin appear as a sudden that Lesions extending to the upper nail fold affect the nail. Sometimes the nail alone may be involved for months before the appearance of a linear band extending up the extremity. Extremities are most often involved, but may extend from the trunk to the extremity. Lesions usually do not cause irritation, but at times itching is intense. Sometimes a band may extend from the leg onto the buttock or abdomen. Usually there are no symptoms but some patients may complain of slight or intense itching. Oral lichen planus occurs in about half of the people who have lichen planus on their skin. It consists of painless, whitish streaks on the mucous membranes.

Causes of Lichen Striatus

Cause of lichen striatus is unknown. Possibly genetic factors or environmental triggers have a role to play in its development.

The cause is unknown.
Lichen striatus is not dangerous or contagious (does not spread from person to person).
Lichen Striatus has been known to occur with the spring and summer being the most common. Endemic out breaks have been reporte.
Lichen planus is an intensely itchy (pruritic) inflammatory lesion of the skin.
The cause of lichen striatus is unknown. Possibly genetic factors or environmental triggers have a role to play in its development.
It appears as raised, many-sided purple bumps (violaceous polygonal papules) with overlying white lines (Wickham's striae).
Lichen Striatus occur only on the abdomen, flexor surfaces of the elbows and palms, and on the male genitalia.

Treatment of Lichen Striatus

The Treatment of Lichen Striatus are :

There is no specific treatment for lichen striatus. Cortisone creams and ointments are sometimes helpful.
In most patients lichen striatus goes away by itself after six months to one year.
There is no effective treatment for lichen striatus and in most cases none is necessary. It usually resolves within 6 months but may leave temporary pale or dark marks.
There is no effective treatment for lichen striatus and in most cases none is necessary. It usually resolves within 6 months but may leave temporary pale or dark marks (hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation).
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.