FAQDoes halo nevi affect vitiligo development?

FAQ

Halo nevi (also known as Sutton's nevi) are characterized by a mole that's surrounded by a ring of depigmented or lighter skin. While both halo nevi and vitiligo involve the destruction of melanocytes (the cells that produce skin pigment), they are separate conditions.

However, there has been observed a potential association between halo nevi and vitiligo. Several studies suggest that people with halo nevi may have a higher incidence of vitiligo than the general population. This association is believed to be due to the shared autoimmune response that targets melanocytes.

That being said, the presence of a halo nevus doesn't necessarily mean that someone will develop vitiligo. Many people with halo nevi do not develop any other depigmented patches characteristic of vitiligo. But in some individuals, vitiligo patches can appear elsewhere on the body, separate from the halo nevus. Children with vitiligo-associated halo nevi are more likely to have the generalized vitiligo subtype, thus requiring a whole body skin examination by a dermatologist at regular intervals. 

In short, halo nevi does not elevate risk for disease progression or significantly alter vitiligo treatment response.

Suggested reading: Which Skin Conditions Can Be Mistaken For Vitiligo?

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