Dysplastic nevus secondary prevention

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Faizan Sheraz, M.D. [2]

It is recommended that people with dysplastic nevi check their skin once a month.

It is recommended that people with dysplastic nevi check their skin once a month. Patients should report if they see any of the following changes in a dysplastic nevus:

• The color changes
• It gets smaller or bigger
• It changes in shape, texture, or height
• The skin on the surface becomes dry or scaly
• It becomes hard or feels lumpy
• It starts to itch
• It bleeds or oozes

Individuals with dysplastic nevi should get their skin examined. Sometimes individuals or their doctors take photographs of dysplastic nevi so changes over time are easier to see. For individuals with many (more than five) dysplastic nevi, doctors may conduct a skin exam once or twice a year because of the moderately increased chance of melanoma. For individuals who also have a family history of melanoma, it is suggested a more frequent skin exam, such as every 3 to 6 months.

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