Halo nevus is a mole that is surrounded by a pale ring or 'halo'. It is generally noticed in the summer, when surrounding skin tans, and usually occurs on the chest, but can be anywhere. There may be one or, more typically, several. Onset is usually in teenagers and young adults. It typically follows a pattern of appearing at first as a dark mole surrounded by a halo before the nevus fades and disappears. A single halo-nevus-like lesion appearing in an older adult may be a melanoma. It occurs in around 1% of the general population, and males and females are affected equally.

Presentation

Halo nevi are also known as Sutton's nevi, or leukoderma acquisitum centrifugum. Halo nevi are named such because they are a mole (nevus) that is surrounded by an area of depigmentation that resembles a halo. Halo nevi are associated with vitiligo. Sometimes the pale (hypopigmented) areas will spontaneously regress, and pigment returns.

Causes

The formation of a halo surrounding a nevi is believed to occur when certain

white blood cell White blood cells (scientific name leukocytes), also called immune cells or immunocytes, are cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign entities. White blood cells are genera ...

s called CD8+ T lymphocytes destroy the pigment-producing cells of the skin (melanocytes). The cause for the attack is unknown.

Diagnosis

Treatment

As halo nevi are only of cosmetic significance, no treatment is required, and patients will be

asymptomatic Asymptomatic (or clinically silent) is an adjective categorising the medical conditions (i.e., injuries or diseases) that patients carry but without experiencing their symptoms, despite an explicit diagnosis (e.g., a positive medical test). P ...

. Although halo nevi are harmless, it is important to monitor the lesion on a regular basis. Watch out for any changes in appearance of existing or new halo nevi. If there is any change in appearance or is associated with pain, itch, and infection, a doctor should be consulted immediately to exclude the possibility of melanoma.

Epidemiology

Halo nevi are estimated to be present in approximately 1% of the general population and are found to be more prevalent in people with vitiligo, malignant melanoma, or Turner syndrome. All races and sexes are equally susceptible to this disease, although a familial tendency has been reported. The average age of onset is in a person's teenage years.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Halo Nevus Melanocytic nevi and neoplasms