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Halo nevus in Adult
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Halo nevus in Adult

Contributors: Craig N. Burkhart MD, Belinda Tan MD, PhD, Dean Morrell MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Halo nevus is also known as Sutton nevus or perinevoid vitiligo. Halo nevi are benign melanocytic nevi surrounded by a peripheral rim of depigmentation. The depigmented ring is believed to be due to a secondary localized immune response to regional melanocytes.

Clinically, halo nevi are characterized by a circular area of depigmented skin surrounding a central nevus of hyperpigmented skin. They are most often seen in teenagers. The pigmented nevus may eventually involute completely, leaving only the patch of depigmentation.

Codes

ICD10CM:
D22.9 – Melanocytic nevi, unspecified

SNOMEDCT:
398028009 – Halo nevus

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Diagnostic Pearls

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

Best Tests

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Management Pearls

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Therapy

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Drug Reaction Data

Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.

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References

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Last Updated:01/17/2022
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Patient Information for Halo nevus in Adult
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Contributors: Medical staff writer

Overview

A halo nevus is a mole that is surrounded by a circle (or halo) of very light-colored, or depigmented, skin. It is also known as Sutton nevus or perinevoid vitiligo. It is common and is not cancerous. It is usually seen on the back or torso, but it can appear on any body location. More than one halo nevus may be present at the same time.

Sometimes the mole will fade, leaving just a depigmented spot. Sometimes the mole remains as the skin surrounding it repigments.

Who’s At Risk

This is most often seen in teenagers. It is believed to be an immune system response to cells that cause skin pigmentation, such as in moles.

Signs & Symptoms

A halo nevus looks like a mole surrounded by a ring of colorless skin. The central mole may be pink, tan, or brown.

Self-Care Guidelines

Since a halo nevus is not cancerous or painful, treatment is not necessary.

When to Seek Medical Care

See your doctor if your mole changes or you note any other changes to your skin, like itching, bleeding, or pain.

Treatments

This is a harmless condition. There is no treatment.

Your doctor may examine a tissue sample of the mole if it is irregular or unusual.
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Halo nevus in Adult
A medical illustration showing key findings of Halo nevus : Round configuration, Loss of pigment around nevus
Clinical image of Halo nevus - imageId=211205. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'A close-up of a brown papule with a surrounding depigmented halo.'
A close-up of a brown papule with a surrounding depigmented halo.
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