Dermatosis papulosa nigra in Adult
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Synopsis
According to a 2003 study among Afro-Caribbean people, more participants with light phototypes (skin type V or less) had the lowest frequency of involvement. In addition to Black individuals, the condition has also been reported in Filipino, Vietnamese, European, and Mexican individuals.
The onset of DPN is typically during adolescence, and lesions initially look like freckles. Women are affected more often than men. There may be a family history of similar lesions. The number of lesions typically increases with age, peaking in the sixth decade. Up to one-third of Black adults have some of these lesions. Approximately 25% of patients with facial lesions will also have lesions at other body locations such as the neck, chest, and back. DPNs also become larger with age.
DPN is a cosmetic concern only. In contrast to SKs, where rapid onset of numerous lesions can be a cutaneous sign of internal malignancy, multiple DPNs are not related to any systemic disease or syndrome.
For more information, see OMIM.
Codes
ICD10CM:L82.1 – Other seborrheic keratosis
SNOMEDCT:
254669003 – Dermatosis papulosa nigra
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Seborrheic keratoses
- Melanocytic nevi
- Angiofibromas
- Warts
- Acrochordons (skin tags)
- Benign appendageal tumors
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Last Reviewed:03/07/2021
Last Updated:03/22/2021
Last Updated:03/22/2021
Dermatosis papulosa nigra in Adult