What is a Lentigo?

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Lentigo sounds like some kind of a Brazilian dance but it actually is a small pigmented spot surrounded by normal colored skin. A lentigo can appear anywhere on the body and can vary in color from brown to black. Lentigines (plural for lentigo) are considered to be non-cancerous, but they should be examined by a doctor to determine whether they might be melanoma.

There are a variety of types on lentigines. Below are some of the most frequent types seen:

• Lentigo simplex: is the most common type of lentigines and can also appear on children’s skin. They are not affected by sun exposure and may occur anywhere on the skin or inside the mouth as a small freckle or dime sized spot ranging in color from brown to black.

• Solar lentigo: are sometimes called liver spots and commonly appear on the face, backs of the hands, arms and trunk. PUVA induced lentigines are similar except they are a result of PUVA treatments used for those with psoriasis.

• Ink-spot lentigo: commonly appears as a single small black irregularly colored spot in the center of a patch of solar lentigines. This type of lentigo occurs more often in those of Celtic descent.

• Tanning bed lentigo: are related to excess tanning bed use and usually occur in women. They appear more often on the front of the arms and legs but may also be on the neck and chest.

• Oral and labial melanotic macules: are small flat blue-black spots that most commonly appear as single spot on the lower lip. They may also occur inside the mouth and on the gums.

• Vulvar and penile lentigo: look similar to oral melanotic macules and in men may occur on the glans, the corona or shaft of the penis. Woman may develop mottled pigmented patches up to dime size anywhere on the labia or can develop a lentigo spot along an episiotomy scar from childbirth.

• Lentigines profusa: is also called generalized lentigines and may appear as patches of large freckled-like areas or as multiple lentigos that merge together. They can occur on the arms, the trunk and the labia and vary in color from brown to black.

Other types of lentigines are associated with certain medical conditions or other serious abnormalities.

Treatment:

Lentigines do not need to be removed once a doctor has cleared any precancerous risk, but if desired they can be. Certain lightening creams can help but they may need to be applied for months. Examples are those with hydroquinone, retinoids and alpha-hydroxy acids. Other methods are cryosurgery, chemical peels or laser treatments.

After lentigines are removed, it is important to continue using sunscreen to provide future protection. Avoidance of excess sun and tanning bed exposure is highly recommended.

sources:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1068503-overview
http://www.dermnetnz.org/lesions/lentigines.html
http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Lentigo.htm

Michele is an R.N. freelance writer with a special interest in woman’s health care and quality of care issues. Other articles by Michele are at www.helium.com/users/487540/show_articles

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Michele Blacksberg RN HERWriter View Profile Send Message

We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.