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White spot around the birthmark

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 17.10.2021
 
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White spots around the birthmark appear quite often and many people do not pay attention to this pigmentation.

But such changes do not lead to anything good, since it is very important to follow any transformations.

Causes of the white spots around the birthmark

When new nevi appear on the human body, this is attributed to an increase in the amount of melanin in the cells. But what are the causes of the appearance of white spots around moles?

  1. Heredity - if parents around their birthmarks had white pigmentation during their lifetime, most likely their children will also have such changes.
  2. Irradiation with ultraviolet rays - if you often visit the solarium or sunbathe on the beach, be prepared for the like phenomena. Do not forget about the protection of your skin, always take sunscreens, wide-brimmed hats, glasses.
  3. Failures in the hormonal background - this usually occurs in adolescents, pregnant women, during menopause. Also, doctors include in this category frequent stresses and certain diseases.

Remember that the appearance of a white spot around the nevus does not always indicate its degeneration into a malignant tumor. But, if you still have a white halo, you should immediately go to a dermatologist.

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Pathogenesis

First of all, you need to know that physicians distinguish several types of white haloes, which can sometimes appear in every person near the nevus:

  1. Nevus Sutton - this is the most common birthmark, which is surrounded by a dark-skinned area of skin. Usually such areas are irregular in shape. If the birthmarks are located very close to each other, then their halos sometimes connect. Such pigmentation is not associated with melanoma, but there is always some percentage that they will develop into malignant formations. As a rule, such nevi appear in adolescents.
  2. Nevus Setton - despite the consonant name with the previous pigmented spot, it looks completely different. Usually, such birthmarks are surrounded by small "islands" of fair skin. Their sizes are small (rarely exceed one centimeter). Such a mole can disappear by itself, but it must be carefully monitored.
  3. Vitiligo - often such a concept as complete whitening of the skin is combined with the appearance of white spots around the moles.

White spots around the nevi appear gradually, so often the patient does not even notice this change. Sometimes the place starts to itch, so the skin near the mole may peel off. Already these symptoms should alert and make an appointment with a specialist. As a rule, this happens with those nevi that are on problem areas (elbows, heels, shins and so on).

If the appearance of white spots is associated with stressful situations, then sometimes they can darken again. Of course, this happens with time.

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Symptoms of the white spots around the birthmark

The most common symptoms of the appearance of white spots around the moles are:

  1. Constant itching, which causes a person to comb the affected area.
  2. Peeling of the skin around the nevus.
  3. Gradual disappearance of the pigment around the mole.
  4. Sometimes pain can occur.

If the stain is completely flat, you should not worry. This indicates that the nevus did not degenerate into a malignant tumor. If the spot begins to change over time (grow, darken, swell), you should immediately go through the examination.

White stain around the mole after tanning

Many of us know that sunbathing in the summer without special means of protection is not worth it. Ultraviolet radiation can lead to the appearance on your body of more new moles, as well as changing the existing ones.

White spots around the nevus often begin to develop after a long stay in the sun or in the solarium. This is due to the fact that ultraviolet leads to a deterioration in the production of melanin by cells. That's why try to always protect places with protruding or brightened moles with the help of clothes, sprays or creams from sunburn.

White spot around the mole and itch

Itching of a mole always indicates serious enough complications. And if the skin around the nevus is also brightened or whitened, then it's worth immediately contacting a specialist who will be able to deliver an accurate diagnosis. The itch is also unpleasant because it causes a person to itch constantly, the skin starts to flake off badly, wounds, pinpoint hemorrhages and abrasions may appear.

In addition, it is worth noting that the appearance of pruritus and white spots around the birthmark indicate inflammation of the mole. To cure it, you can use various ointments with anti-inflammatory effect (the composition can include salicylic acid, zinc, antibiotics, hormonal substances).

White stain around the birthmark of a child

It is in children in the adolescent period most often birthmarks are surrounded by white spots. This is because the body has a hormonal failure in the body. Skin discoloration can occur for other reasons, most often hereditary. It is very important to carefully protect the baby's skin from exposure to sunlight.

Complications and consequences

Usually such white spots do not mean that in the human body there are some serious changes. But to show the birthmark, which began to lighten in a circle, the doctor still needs. If the nevus structure changes, its shape or dimensions, this should alert the patient. This fact may indicate the development of melanoma.

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Diagnostics of the white spots around the birthmark

The most popular method of diagnosis, which makes it possible to know whether the mole begins to degenerate into a malignant tumor, is histological analysis. For his conduct, the doctor takes a small amount of tissue around the nevus and sends for examination. This method allows you to quickly find out whether the nevus is melanoma or not.

Instrumental diagnostics

The most common method of instrumental diagnosis is dermatoscopy. This type of diagnosis does not involve surgery. With its help, it is possible to diagnose melanoma in the early stages of its development. Through a special apparatus (dermatoscope) the doctor can see all the main signs that are characteristic of malignant tumors.

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Who to contact?

Treatment of the white spots around the birthmark

To date, the treatment of white spots is possible only through surgical intervention, since it is necessary only if the nevus begins to degenerate into melanoma.

  1. Removal of a birthmark with a laser is a safe and practically bloodless method, which has almost no risks of complications.
  2. The effect of heat - the method has a very important drawback: adjacent tissues can get a sufficiently severe burn.
  3. Removal by radio waves - the method is to vaporize the cellular structures.
  4. Surgery with cold nitrogen - ultra-low temperatures help to completely destroy nevus tissue.
  5. Excision of the nevus with a scalpel is a disadvantage because the scar remains after the operation.

Alternative Herbal Treatment

  1. If the surface of a birthmark with a white halo is lubricated with garlic juice, and then with lemon juice, then in time the nevus will disappear, like a bright spot.
  2. Crush the celandine and add Vaseline to it. Massage the resulting mixture with a birthmark up to two times a day.
  3. Take half the glass of apple cider vinegar and add to it two garlic cloves. Infuse for up to two weeks. Wet a small amount of cotton cloth and apply to the nevus before bed. Repeat until the birthmark completely disappears.

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Prevention

If you notice that the skin around the mole begins to lighten, it is best to completely cover this part of the body before going out into the sun. First, the sun's rays always negatively affect the nevi. And on the other hand, the light skin immediately burns out from their impact.

Try to avoid stressful situations, emotional overload, watch your diet and weight.

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Forecast

With a timely treatment, the prognosis is favorable. In some cases, if a white spot around the birthmark appears due to stress, it can even pass by itself.

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