HomeAnswersDermatologynevusWhy did I suddenly get some dark patches on my shoulder?

What does an asymptomatic nevus indicate?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At October 28, 2022
Reviewed AtOctober 11, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

A stain less than 2 cm in size appeared behind my left shoulder a few months ago. I have had moles since birth. Several have already been removed for prevention. A few years ago, I was also diagnosed with urticarial mastocytosis.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

According to the history provided, it could be nevus. Nevus is a mole that appears on any part of the body and can be brown to black, flat-topped, or raised, with or without hair growing out of the mole. It is asymptomatic and harmless and is caused by the presence of clustered melanocytes, which provide pigment to one's skin. Since you mentioned that it was not present, I would like to reassure you that moles can appear anytime during our lives. Most moles appear at birth, but some may appear later in life in new areas such as the trunk, limbs, face, and scalp.

They do not require treatment because they are harmless. However, it may be cosmetically bothersome for some people, so they can be removed using laser therapy. The laser beams penetrate the skin and destroy the melanocytes. They are usually done in sessions until the mole appears faded. In some cases, moles may reappear later on due to a cluster of melanocytes. However, lasers can often completely remove them. However, if they are not cosmetically bothersome, they may be left untreated. I would also advise you to keep an eye on the mole to ensure that there are no changes in its appearance in terms of color, increase in size, change in type from flat to raised, and whether there are any symptoms of itching, pain, inflammation, and spreading, among other things.

I suggest you consult a Dermatologist in person to have the mole examined to rule out complications, which is often helpful if the mole is troubling. In addition, if possible, I would like you to attach an image of the affected area through the image option on the query session, as a confirmatory diagnosis following assessment is most appropriate for further management. Based on the history provided, no treatment is currently required because it appears to be a normal nevus or mole that develops naturally.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sandhya Narayanan Kutty
Dr. Sandhya Narayanan Kutty

Venereology

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