Setton's nevus

Any new growths on the skin cause concern for their owner. If we consider such a skin pathology as Setton's nevus, then in this case there is no need to worry especially, since it is not prone to malignant degeneration. Nevertheless, it will not be superfluous to learn more about this disease.

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Epidemiology

Nevus of Setton can develop in a person, regardless of gender. The disease is most often found in children and adolescents, but can also appear in adulthood.

According to the latest statistics, about 1% of the world's population suffers from nevus of Sutton. The disease is found in 25% of patients diagnosed with vitiligo.

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Causes of Setton's nevus

Experts cannot yet list the exact reasons that lead to the appearance of Setton's nevus. But they have noticed that such formations are sometimes found in people suffering from leukopathy (vitiligo) or autoimmune pathologies.

There have also been cases of Setton's nevus appearing in direct relatives of people suffering from vitiligo.

Some experts suggest that the formation of Setton's nevus is a specific reaction of the skin to excessive solar activity. This assumption is based on facts: indeed, Setton's nevus often appears after a person has been exposed to the sun for a long time.

However, there is another theory of the origin of the pathology. Thus, many scientists explain the pathogenesis of the disease by an autoimmune process, because cytotoxic antibodies are found in the bloodstream of a large number of patients. Those specialists who consider this theory more likely point out that the characteristic depigmentation around the nevus is formed as a result of the disintegration of melanocytes under the influence of immune cells.

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Risk factors

• Frequent and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, abuse of solariums, sunburn.
• Tendency to autoimmune processes in the body.
• Presence of leukopathy (vitiligo) in immediate relatives.
• Excessive single or multiple stressful situations.

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Symptoms of Setton's nevus

The appearance of Setton's nevus occurs in two stages:

• the first stage is characterized by the appearance of an ordinary pigment spot in the form of a mole;
• The second stage is accompanied by the formation of a pale rim around the mole.

Sometimes an intermediate stage may be observed, when, before the rim turns pale, the surrounding skin acquires a pinkish tint.

A nevus in the form of a birthmark has the external features of a hemisphere rising above the surface of the skin, with clearly defined outlines. The color range can vary from coffee to dark brown, occasionally - to a reddish color.

The pale rim that forms later is always larger in diameter than the mole, and the mole is located in the center of the pale spot.

In most patients, Setton's nevi are found on the skin of the upper limbs, back, abdomen and chest. The neoplasms can be located singly or multiple times, which allows us to divide the pathology into the corresponding types.

The first signs of nevus of Setton can appear both in early childhood or adolescence, and in adults. However, in children, the pathology is detected much more often.

In most cases, a nevus of Setton in a child disappears on its own within a few years. However, it is necessary to monitor the neoplasm, and if certain signs appear, you should definitely contact a doctor. Such signs may include:

• change in the boundaries of the spot, the appearance of fuzziness (blurriness);
• the appearance of inflammation of the skin in the area of the nevus;
• significant darkening of the neoplasm;
• a feeling of pain, the appearance of peeling, bleeding.

Multiple nevi require special monitoring – and some people have dozens of them. It is believed that only multiple localization can theoretically transform into a malignant tumor.

Nevus of Setton in a teenager, as in children of an earlier age, always proceeds unnoticed - and only a random external examination helps to detect the formation. As a rule, such a nevus does not itch, does not hurt, does not become inflamed, does not bleed and does not cause any unpleasant sensations.

Complications and consequences

Complications with Setton's nevus can only occur if the spot is damaged - for example, if it is scratched. When microbes enter the damaged nevus, an inflammatory process begins, pus accumulates in the wound, toxins penetrate the blood, leading to intoxication.

To avoid such consequences, it is important to explain to the child that moles should not be touched. When going outside in sunny weather, sunscreen should be used or the nevus should be covered with a bandage.

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Diagnostics of Setton's nevus

As a rule, the signs of Setton's nevus are so characteristic that any experienced doctor can recognize it without using diagnostics. It is a little more difficult to identify Setton's nevus, a photo of which on the body was taken against the background of leukopathy (vitiligo). In such a situation, other types of diagnostic studies may be needed.

• Blood tests can indicate the presence of an inflammatory process and also demonstrate the quality of blood clotting.
• Instrumental diagnostics will allow us to determine the stage of the disease and its characteristics:

1. SIAscopy is a painless diagnostic procedure that allows us to determine the structure of the nevus of Setton, as well as to find out whether the tumor contains melanocytes and dermal melanin;
2. dermatoscopy is a hardware method that is often used when there are suspicious changes in nevi (for example, when pain appears or when the color changes);
3. A biopsy is a procedure to remove a small sample of tissue from a nevus to determine whether it is malignant.

It is worth noting that certain types of melanoma have many similar manifestations with Setton's nevus. For example, sometimes melanoma can look like a pigmented center with a discolored halo around it. If there is a suspicion of melanoma, the doctor will definitely prescribe a biopsy with subsequent histological analysis of the tissue of the formation.

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Differential diagnosis

In addition to melanoma, differential diagnosis of Setton's nevus usually includes diseases such as neurofibroma, leukopathy, blue nevus, and verruca vulgaris.

Treatment of Setton's nevus

Nevus of Setton in almost all cases does not require any treatment. It is recommended to regularly visit a dermatologist to monitor the development of the neoplasm: such visits should continue until the nevus begins to regress.

Since Setton's nevus should not normally bother the patient, there is no need to take any medications. To strengthen the body in general and speed up the regression of the nevus, you can take vitamins and other immunostimulating drugs:

	Method of administration and dosage	Side effects	Special instructions
Aevit	Take 1 capsule once a day for a month. Repeated treatment can be done after 3 months.	Nausea, abdominal pain, sleep disturbance, apathy.	The drug is not recommended for frequent exacerbations of pancreatitis and cholelithiasis.
Echinacea extract	Take 10-15 drops of tincture 2-3 times a day with water. Duration of treatment is up to 2 months.	Rarely – nausea, vomiting, chills.	The drug is not prescribed to children under 7 years of age and pregnant women.
Immunal	Take 1 tablet 3-4 times a day for 1-2 months.	Allergy, leukopenia.	Children under 4 years of age are prescribed the drug in the form of a solution.
Vitrum beauty	Take 2 tablets daily after meals.	Rarely – allergy.	The drug is used only in adult patients.
Coenzyme Q10	Take 1 capsule twice daily for at least one month.	Allergic reactions, systemic manifestations of hypersensitivity.	The drug is not used in children under 14 years of age.

Physiotherapeutic treatment for Setton's nevus is not used due to its inappropriateness.

Surgical treatment is used only when the nevus shows signs of malignancy. In this case, surgical removal of the neoplasm is performed, capturing the entire depigmented area.

Folk remedies

If you use folk remedies, you can significantly speed up the recovery process. Although it is unlikely that you will be able to quickly get rid of Setton's nevus.

To speed up the regression of the neoplasm, you should pay attention to the following recipes:

• Twice a day, for four weeks, you should take magnesium powder (before meals, on the tip of a knife).
• You need to take a piece of clean chalk, grind it into powder and sprinkle it on the nevus, then tie it with a woolen scarf. You can't add water to the chalk!
• You can take a banana peel and tie it to the nevus with the inside. I recommend doing such bandages at night.
• It is necessary to lubricate the Setton nevus with natural tea tree oil - regularly, throughout the week.

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Herbal treatment

• It is recommended to take wormwood internally: pour boiling water (1 l) over three tablespoons of the herb and leave for at least 2 hours. Take 1 tablespoon before meals, three times a day.
• Every morning you should drink 1 tbsp. of natural apple cider vinegar mixed with 150 ml of water. This method is suitable for those who do not have problems with the digestive organs.
• You can lubricate the nevus with celandine juice every day.

In addition, it is recommended to regularly add garlic, turmeric, and cumin to dishes when cooking - these spices will help to quickly get rid of such an aesthetic problem as Setton's nevus.

Homeopathy

The most common homeopathic remedies prescribed for Setton's nevus are:

• Apis;
• Arnica;
• Belladonna;
• Yodum;
• Creosotum;
• Silicea;
• Carbo vegetabilis;
• Mercurius iodatus flavus;
• Lapis albus.

Homeopaths are confident that the listed drugs without side effects can speed up the process of getting rid of Setton's nevi by 2-3 times.

The most commonly used is the 30th centesimal dilution: dilute a grain in 100 ml of water, take 1 teaspoon daily, 30 minutes before meals, or half an hour after meals. However, this dosage is not standard: as a rule, the specifics of taking such remedies should be clarified with a homeopathic doctor on an individual basis.

Prevention

There are no specific measures to prevent Setton's nevus, since the causes of the pathology are still being studied. The following general recommendations can be given:

• You should control the time you spend in the sun and avoid overdoing it with tanning;
• it is necessary to avoid conflict and stressful situations in every possible way;
• It is important to follow the rules of personal hygiene;
• You need to eat well so that your body receives all the necessary nutrients and vitamins.

If any formations or diseases appear on the skin, it is better to consult a doctor as soon as possible, since many pathologies are cured much easier and faster if they are detected at the initial stages of development.

Forecast

If all medical recommendations are followed, the prognosis for patients with Setton's nevi is considered favorable.

A nevus of Setton, discovered in childhood, most often disappears on its own after a while. However, such regression can last for years.

However, not a single case of Setton's nevus degenerating into a malignant tumor has been officially registered. This allows us to give a favorable prognosis for the disease.