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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffThe cause of lichen nitidus is unknown. The papules that appear are the result of inflammation controlled by white blood cells called T lymphocytes. Normally, these cells are active at the site of disease or injury. Doctors and researchers don't know what prompts T lymphocytes to be activated in lichen nitidus.
Association with other diseases
Because lichen nitidus is rare, most information about the disorder is known from individual cases or very small studies, rather than large studies, which generally produce more reliable information. Therefore, possible associations observed between lichen nitidus and other diseases aren't well understood.
Reports from individual cases and small studies have found lichen nitidus associated with:
- Lichen planus, an inflammatory condition usually characterized by patches of red or purple, flat-topped, itchy bumps on the skin or lacy white patches on the mucous membranes of the mouth
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema), an inflammatory skin condition usually characterized by dry, itchy, rashes on the face, inside the elbow, behind the knees, and on the hands and feet
- Crohn's disease, inflammation of the lining of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and malnutrition
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory disease that causes persistent joint pain, swelling and stiffness
- Tuberculosis, an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs
- Pittelkow M, et al. Lichen nitidus. In: Wolff K, et al., eds. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2977326. Accessed April 15, 2010.
- Tilly JJ, et al. Lichenoid eruptions in children. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2004;51:606.
- Psoriasis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Psoriasis/default.asp. Accessed April 18, 2010.
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