Halo nevus is a benign skin lesion that appears as a mole surrounded by a white halo. It is caused by lymphocytic infiltration and is usually found on the trunk. It produces no symptoms and requires no treatment, but any irregularity warrants excision for histological examination. Follow-up skin examinations are recommended.
A halo nevus is a benign skin lesion commonly found in children, but can be found in individuals of any age. It is actually a mole surrounded by an area of white halo. These moles appear equally in both men and women, and it is only a cosmetic anomaly. Treatment is unnecessary as it is benign.
Leukoderma acquisitum centrifugum was the first name given to this condition by an American dermatologist named Richard L. Sutton. This skin condition is a variant of melanocytic nevus, a skin lesion that contains melanocytes or pigment cells. In halo nevus, there is lymphocytic infiltration surrounding the nevus. The infiltrate is responsible for the zone of depigmentation, which is the white halo area surrounding the nevus.
Although the exact cause of this skin lesion is unknown, many researchers have attempted to explain its immunological mechanism. The infiltrating cells consist predominantly of T lymphocytes, which include CD8 and CD4 lymphocytes. There are also macrophages scattered around the white halo area. Melanocytes are completely absent in the white halo area. The role of T lymphocytes on the absence of melanocytes is not yet understood, but it is plausible that T lymphocytes attack and kill melanocytes.
A halo nevus is usually single and is most frequently seen on the trunk, especially on the back. In some cases, it can be multiple and can be found anywhere on the body. The nevus appears round or oval. It can be uniformly colored such as brown, pink, or tan and is centrally located within the surrounding halo. The width of the halo surrounding the nevus is variable, but its radial distance from the nevus is usually consistent.
The central nevus may persist or disappear for months to years, with the white halo area left behind. Its coloring may not change, it may become patchy or change to pink or red. The disappearance of the nevus with repigmentation of the halo is also possible. The halo, however, persists in most cases.
A halo nevus produces no symptoms and no treatment is needed. Any atypical appearance or irregularity, however, warrants excision for histological examination to rule out malignancy. It is important for a physician to ask patients with nevus halo about their past medical history or family history of atypical nevi, malignant melanoma, and vitiligo. Individuals with nevus halos should be followed up annually for a comprehensive skin examination to ensure they have not developed atypical moles or malignant melanoma. Daily use of sunscreen is also encouraged.
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