Approach Considerations

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. However, emollients and topical steroids may be used to treat associated dryness and pruritus, if present.^[40]One report showed improvement with a combination of a topical retinoid and topical steroid.^[41]

Photodynamic therapy using methyl aminolevulinic acid has been used for the treatment of lichen striatus.^[42]

One study reported complete resolution in an adult with a short course of low-dose systemic corticosteroids^[43]and another with a short course of acitretin.^[44]

Tacrolimus and pimecrolimus have been successful in treating persistent and pruritic lesions on the face and extremities.^{[30, 45, 46, 47, 48]}Tacrolimus has also been used successfully to treat nail abnormalities in lichen striatus.^[27]Oral cyclosporine has also been used.^[49]One report described use of low-dose intralesional triamcinolone for nail lichen striatus, with complete resolution.^[50]

Medication

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Media Gallery

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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Author

June Kim, MD Mohs Surgeon/Dermatologist, Cascade Eye and Skin Center, PC

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

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Abbvie; Valeant Canada<br/> Received honoraria from Valeant Canada for advisory board; Received honoraria from Pierre Fabre for advisory board; Received honoraria from Mustella for advisory board; Received honoraria from Abbvie for advisory board.

Specialty Editor Board

Richard P Vinson, MD Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster 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, Texas Medical Association, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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

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

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

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

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Daniel J Hogan, MD Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine (Dermatology), Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine; 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, Canadian Dermatology Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors, Nelly Rubeiz, MD, and Amal Mehanna, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

Lichen Striatus Treatment & Management

Approach Considerations

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