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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffLichen nitidus seems to be more likely to develop in children and young adults.
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 from large studies that generally produce more reliable information. Therefore, possible associations observed between lichen nitidus and other diseases aren't well understood. However, lichen nitidus may be 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
References
- 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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