Nevus oligemicus

Nevus oligemicus
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	Dermatology
Symptoms	Hypopigmented skin patch
Complications
Onset
Duration
Types
Causes	Unknown
Risks
Diagnosis	Clinical diagnosis
Differential diagnosis	Nevus anemicus, Nevus depigmentosus, Vitiligo
Prevention
Treatment
Medication
Prognosis
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Nevus oligemicus is a rare type of birthmark that appears as a pale patch of skin, often with a pink or red border. It is usually present at birth or appears in early childhood. The cause of nevus oligemicus is not well understood, but it is thought to be related to abnormalities in the development of blood vessels in the skin.

Signs and Symptoms

The main sign of nevus oligemicus is a pale patch of skin, often with a pink or red border. The patch may be any size or shape, and can appear anywhere on the body. It is usually present at birth or appears in early childhood. Some people with nevus oligemicus may also have other skin abnormalities, such as freckles or moles.

Causes

The cause of nevus oligemicus is not well understood. It is thought to be related to abnormalities in the development of blood vessels in the skin. Some researchers believe that it may be caused by a mutation in a gene involved in skin pigmentation, but this has not been confirmed.

Diagnosis

Nevus oligemicus is usually diagnosed based on its appearance. A doctor may also use a special light, called a Wood's lamp, to examine the skin. In some cases, a skin biopsy may be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for nevus oligemicus. The birthmark is not harmful and does not need to be treated unless it causes cosmetic concerns. In some cases, laser therapy may be used to lighten the color of the birthmark.

See Also

• Birthmark
• Nevus
• Skin pigmentation
• Skin biopsy
• Laser therapy