Lichen Striatus 

  • Author: June Kim, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 22, 2010
 

Background

Lichen striatus is a rare, benign, self-limited linear dermatosis of unknown origin that predominantly affects children. Lichen striatus is clinically diagnosed on the basis of its appearance and characteristic developmental pattern following the lines of Blaschko.

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Pathophysiology

The skin is the primary organ system affected by lichen striatus. However, lichen striatus also may involve the nails.[1]

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Epidemiology

Race

No racial predilection is recognized for lichen striatus.

Sex

No consensus exists on sex predilection in lichen striatus. Some studies show a 2- to 3-fold increased incidence in girls compared with boys, whereas others show an equal sex distribution.

Age

Lichen striatus is primarily a disease of young children. More than 50% of all lichen striatus cases occur in children aged 5-15 years. Other reports dispute this age range and claim that the median age of onset for lichen striatus is 3 years. Although lichen striatus is rare in both infants and adults, the disease can occur in persons of any age.[2, 3]

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

June Kim, MD  Mohs Surgery Fellow, Department of Dermatologic Surgery, Yale Medical Center

June Kim, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Wingfield Rehmus, MD, MPH  Dermatologist, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia

Wingfield Rehmus, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Daniel J Hogan, MD  Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine (Dermatology), NOVA Southeastern University; Investigator, Hill Top Research, Florida Research Center

Daniel J Hogan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Contact Dermatitis Society, and Canadian Dermatology Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul Krusinski, MD  Director of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Fletcher Allen Health Care, University of Vermont

Paul Krusinski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Tosti A, Peluso AM, Misciali C, Cameli N. Nail lichen striatus: clinical features and long-term follow-up of five patients. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jun 1997;36(6 Pt 1):908-13. [Medline].

  2. Hofer T. Lichen striatus in adults or 'adult blaschkitis'?. There is no need for a new naming. Dermatology. 2003;207(1):89-92. [Medline].

  3. Taniguchi Abagge K, Parolin Marinoni L, Giraldi S, Carvalho VO, de Oliveira Santini C, Favre H. Lichen striatus: description of 89 cases in children. Pediatr Dermatol. Jul-Aug 2004;21(4):440-3. [Medline].

  4. Arias-Santiago SA, Sierra Giron-Prieto M, Fernandez-Pugnarie MA, Naranjo-Sintes R. [Lichen striatus following Blaschko lines]. An Pediatr (Barc). Jul 2009;71(1):76-7. [Medline].

  5. Racette AJ, Adams AD, Kessler SE. Simultaneous lichen striatus in siblings along the same Blaschko line. Pediatr Dermatol. Jan-Feb 2009;26(1):50-4. [Medline].

  6. Aloi F, Solaroli C, Pippione M. Diffuse and bilateral lichen striatus. Pediatr Dermatol. Jan-Feb 1997;14(1):36-8. [Medline].

  7. Kurokawa M, Kikuchi H, Ogata K, Setoyama M. Bilateral lichen striatus. J Dermatol. Feb 2004;31(2):129-32. [Medline].

  8. Vukicevic J, Milobratovic D, Vesic S, Milosevic-Jovcic N, Ciric D, Medenica L. Unilateral multiple lichen striatus treated with tacrolimus ointment: a case report. Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Panonica Adriat. Mar 2009;18(1):35-8. [Medline].

  9. Kavak A, Kutluay L. Nail involvement in lichen striatus. Pediatr Dermatol. Mar-Apr 2002;19(2):136-8. [Medline].

  10. Leposavic R, Belsito DV. Onychodystrophy and subungual hyperkeratosis due to lichen striatus. Arch Dermatol. Aug 2002;138(8):1099-100. [Medline].

  11. Al-Niaimi FA, Cox NH. Unilateral lichen striatus with bilateral onychodystrophy. Eur J Dermatol. Jun 5 2009;[Medline].

  12. Coto-Segura P, Costa-Romero M, Gonzalvo P, Mallo-García S, Curto-Iglesias JR, Santos-Juanes J. Lichen striatus in an adult following trauma with central nail plate involvement and its dermoscopy features. Int J Dermatol. Dec 2008;47(12):1324-5. [Medline].

  13. Brennand S, Khan S, Chong AH. Lichen striatus in a pregnant woman. Australas J Dermatol. Aug 2005;46(3):184-6. [Medline].

  14. Shepherd V, Lun K, Strutton G. Lichen striatus in an adult following trauma. Australas J Dermatol. Feb 2005;46(1):25-8. [Medline].

  15. Patrizi A, Neri I, Fiorentini C, Chieregato C, Bonci A. Simultaneous occurrence of lichen striatus in siblings. Pediatr Dermatol. Jul-Aug 1997;14(4):293-5. [Medline].

  16. Yaosaka M, Sawamura D, Iitoyo M, Shibaki A, Shimizu H. Lichen striatus affecting a mother and her son. J Am Acad Dermatol. Aug 2005;53(2):352-3. [Medline].

  17. Ciconte A, Bekhor P. Lichen striatus following solarium exposure. Australas J Dermatol. May 2007;48(2):99-101. [Medline].

  18. Hafner C, Landthaler M, Vogt T. Lichen striatus (blaschkitis) following varicella infection. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Nov 2006;20(10):1345-7. [Medline].

  19. Keegan BR, Kamino H, Fangman W, Shin HT, Orlow SJ, Schaffer JV. "Pediatric blaschkitis": expanding the spectrum of childhood acquired Blaschko-linear dermatoses. Pediatr Dermatol. Nov-Dec 2007;24(6):621-7. [Medline].

  20. Patrizi A, Neri I, Fiorentini C, Bonci A, Ricci G. Lichen striatus: clinical and laboratory features of 115 children. Pediatr Dermatol. May-Jun 2004;21(3):197-204. [Medline].

  21. Taieb A, el Youbi A, Grosshans E, Maleville J. Lichen striatus: a Blaschko linear acquired inflammatory skin eruption. J Am Acad Dermatol. Oct 1991;25(4):637-42. [Medline].

  22. Tilly JJ, Drolet BA, Esterly NB. Lichenoid eruptions in children. J Am Acad Dermatol. Oct 2004;51(4):606-24. [Medline].

  23. Fujimoto N, Tajima S, Ishibashi A. Facial lichen striatus: successful treatment with tacrolimus ointment. Br J Dermatol. Mar 2003;148(3):587-90. [Medline].

  24. Sorgentini C, Allevato MA, Dahbar M, Cabrera H. Lichen striatus in an adult: successful treatment with tacrolimus. Br J Dermatol. Apr 2004;150(4):776-7. [Medline].

  25. Campanati A, Brandozzi G, Giangiacomi M, Simonetti O, Marconi B, Offidani AM. Lichen striatus in adults and pimecrolimus: open, off-label clinical study. Int J Dermatol. Jul 2008;47(7):732-6. [Medline].

  26. Tejera-Vaquerizo A, Ruiz-Molina I, Solis-Garcia E, Moreno-Gimenez JC. [Adult blaschkitis (lichen striatus) successfully treated with topical tacrolimus.]. Actas Dermosifiliogr. Sep 2009;100(7):631-2. [Medline].

  27. Kim GW, Kim SH, Seo SH, Jung DS, Ko HC, Kim MB, et al. Lichen striatus with nail abnormality successfully treated with tacrolimus ointment. J Dermatol. Nov 2009;36(11):616-7. [Medline].

 
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Extensive unilateral lichen striatus that affects both the upper and lower extremities. Grouped keratotic lichenoid papules form plaques over the leg.
Lichen striatus over the inner thigh.
Hypopigmented lichen striatus over the leg.
 
 
 
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