Skip to main content

Nevus, Halo

Fawn J. Winkelman, DO and Adam Strosberg, ARNP-BC, DNP Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Halo nevus is an ordinary benign melanocytic nevus in the process of regression often seen with a depigmented or targetoid halo. It usually occurs in the 1st or 2nd decade of life an...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Patients will note that a mole is changing. 

PHYSICAL EXAM

  • Brown papular lesion with sharply marginated oval or round halo (area of depigmentation)

  • <5 mm

  • Located on trunk but can be an...

TREATMENT

  • Reassurance

  • Biopsy only if suspicious for dysplasia or melanoma

MEDICATION

  • No treatment is indicated.

  • Benign halo nevi are only of cosmetic concern, and patients are asymptomatic.

  • Treatment with ...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

Advise patient to have an annual skin cancer screening. 

PATIENT EDUCATION

  • Advise about the warning signs of skin cancer and melanoma.

  • Educate pati...

REFERENCES

1
Sutton  RL. An unusual variety of vitiligo (leukoderma acquisitum centrifugum). J Cutan Dis.  1916;34:797–800. [View Abstract on OvidMedline] ...

CODES

ICD10

  • D22.9 Melanocytic nevi, unspecified

  • D22.5 Melanocytic nevi of trunk

SNOMED

398028009 Halo nevus 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Halo nevus is a benign finding.

  • A 3-month follow-up to reevaluate the need for biopsy may be advisable; biopsy if other characteristics are suggestive of a malignant lesion.

  • A photograph...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×