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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou'll likely start by seeing your child's pediatrician or your primary care doctor if your child or you are experiencing a skin condition. You may then be referred to a specialist in skin disorders (dermatologist).
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Write down any symptoms you or your child is experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you or your child takes.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
For lichen nitidus, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- What kinds of tests do I need? Do these tests require any special preparation?
- How long can I expect this condition to last?
- What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
- What types of side effects can I expect from treatment?
- Are there any restrictions on what types of products I use on my skin?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend visiting?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor or dermatologist will likely ask you a number of questions regarding the symptoms. Be prepared to answer the following:
- When did you first notice the appearance of the tiny bumps?
- Where are the patches of bumps located?
- Have the patches of bumps changed in appearance over time?
- Do the bumps itch? How much or how often?
- Does anything further irritate the site, such as certain soaps or lotions?
- Are there any known allergies?
- Do you or immediate family members have a history of atopic eczema, asthma or hay fever?
What you can do in the meantime
Lichen nitidus generally clears up on its own, without any treatment, so there's nothing specific you need to do while waiting to see the doctor.
- Goldsmith LA, et al., eds. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=505. Accessed Sept. 27, 2012.
- Tilly JJ, et al. Lichenoid eruptions in children. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2004;51:606.
- Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1608/0.html. Accessed July 27, 2012.
- Psoriasis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Psoriasis/default.asp. Accessed Sept. 29, 2012.
- Lin AN. Innovative use of topical calcineurin inhibitors. Dermatology Clinics. 2010;28:535.
- Protopic (prescribing information). Deerfield, Ill.: Astellas Pharma US, Inc.; 2006. http://www.astellas.us/docs/protopic.pdf. Accessed Sept. 27, 2012.
- Nakamizo S, et al. Generalized lichen nitidus successfully treated with narrowband UVB phototherapy. European Journal of Dermatology. 2010;20:816.
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