Halo Nevus

Definition

A halo nevus is a mole that is pink or brown surrounded by round, symmetric depigmented area, or a halo.The halo is depigmented which means it has lost the normal skin pigment or color. The halo itself has sharply demarcated borders. Melanocytes or cells that make melanin are completely absent from the halo area. Halo nevi develop spontaneously on the trunk, but may be present on the palms and soles.

The mole portion tends to flatten and may disappear completely. The white area may stay if the mole disappears or the affected areas may return to normal skin color. Halo nevi are not dangerous or contagious, but they are sometimes a sign that is not good for the skin. A person can have just one halo nevus or several halo nevi. It is relatively common, occurring particularly in older children and teenagers.

Causes of Halo Nevus

The possible causes of halo nevus are as:-

• Sunburn risk are also present which causes the disease.
• Familial tendencies exist: The disease has a family occurring tendency that is if parents or any family member is affected from the disease the chances are more for the development of the disease.
• When the immune cells attack a mole the disease comes into existence. The reasons of attack is not known.
• People with vitiligo also develop this disease.
• Halo nevi may occur in patients with malignant melanoma.

Symptoms of Halo Nevus

Some of the symptoms that verify a person is affected from the Halo Nevus are as:-

• The patient has rapid eye movements.Pigment is absent from the hair, skin ,or iris of eyes that is change in color is observed.
• Patchy absence of pigment, including in the affected child from the mother with X-linked recessive albinism.
• There may be a lighter than normal skin and hair or complete albinism
• Functional blindness
• Photophobia :Person avoids light as he feels discomfort.

Treatment of Halo Nevus

Treatment of Halo Nevus are as:

• The skin and eyes must be protected from the sun .Sunglassesmay be used.
• Laser treatment: It may lighten the affected areas and improve its appearance, but generally not recommended because it doesn't remove the deeper pigment cells where malignant changes occur.
• Recommendation of a yearly complete skin exam for those who suffer from the disease ensure there are no atypical moles or malignant melanoma on the skin.
• If a person has a halo nevus and found other mole that is changing, The person should be evaluated by doctor immediately.