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A halo nevus is a mole surrounded by a white ring of depigmented skin. Learn about its causes, stages, diagnosis, and when treatment is recommended.
A halo nevus, also called a halo mole, refers to a normal mole with a white ring, or halo, around it.
Halo nevi are not an uncommon phenomenon. Approximately 1% of individuals with fair skin have this condition. They are usually found in healthy children or young adults, but can also be seen in an older population.
Halos can often be associated with vitiligo, which is classified as a more generalised pigment loss. Halo naevi may be linked with other autoimmune diseases.
The cause of halo nevi is not yet known. Currently, they are classified as autoimmune in origin.
In some cases, the appearance of a halo nevus may be triggered by local trauma or sunburn. The immune system recognises the mole as something foreign; it is then attacked by circulating antibodies and CD8+ T lymphocytes. This reaction also affects the normal skin surrounding the mole and causes depigmentation.
The presence of halo nevi can also be associated with psychosocial stress.
These skin lesions are most commonly found on the trunk. The head and limbs are less common sites. The affected nevi are classified as dermal nevi, which are either congenital or have appeared during childhood.
The white halo is usually between 0.5 and 1.0 cm in diameter and is symmetrical.
There are four stages of a halo nevus. It may take a few years to complete an entire cycle.
Halo nevus is a clinical diagnosis. Dermatoscopy is commonly used for evaluating the colour and structure of the nevus.
A full skin examination should be performed, particularly in the adult population. In rare cases, halo nevi can be caused by the presence of melanoma at other body sites.
No treatment is normally needed for a typical halo nevus. The white skin of a halo nevus will burn easily under sun exposure because it does not contain protective melanin pigment. It is recommended that halo nevi be covered or that sunscreen be applied during sun exposure in order to prevent sunburn.
Surgery is not necessary; however, it may be recommended if the nevus has atypical features such as an irregular structure.
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