otherwise healthy Nonetheless, it is advisable to ask about any risk factors or family history of hepatitis C Since patients with lichen planus are usually uncomfortably itchy, treatment is recommended For the body affected areas of skin, topical therapy using moderate potency topical steroids such as fluocinolone 0.025% or triamcinolone 0.1% twice daily is suggested for to weeks to moderate the pruritus For more widespread involvement seen in generalized lichen planus, or those with more severe oral or genital involvement which may be sore or painful, a course of oral corticosteroid therapy or other immunosuppressants may be necessary Since lichen planus is a chronic condition, consultation with a dermatologist is recommended Lichen striatus Lichen striatus is a papulosquamous condition that most commonly presents as a single linear, scaly, and thickened plaque consisting of smaller pink papules, typically on an extremity The lesion is often discontinuous and follows the curvilinear lines of Blaschko After several months, the papular component fades, leaving behind hypopigmented areas in the same linear configuration ( Fig 70.13 ) Lichen striatus is most often seen in schoolaged children In contrast, inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevi (ILVEN) which can look similar, are often earlier in onset, arising in infancy, and may be more widespread ( Fig 70.14 ) FIGURE 70.13 Lichen striatus