Treatment:

Treatment consists of surgery to remove the nevus. Skin grafting is done when necessary. Extremely large nevi may be removed in several stages. Although surgical removal is the treatment of choice, lasers can also be used to improve the appearance.

Steroid medications may be used, but they can have side effects.

Psychological treatment can help with the emotional impact of having a disfiguring disorder.

Expectations (prognosis):

Bathing trunk nevi are not serious, unless the nevus turns into skin cancer (malignant melanoma).

Complications:

• Depression and other emotional problems (due to appearance)
• Skin cancer (melanoma)

Rarely, bathing trunk nevi occur with a condition that causes a growth of pigment-producing cells in the head (leptomeningeal melanocytosis). Complications include:

• Hydrocephalus
• Motor abnormalities
• Seizures

Calling your health care provider:

This condition is usually diagnosed at birth. Call for an appointment with your health care provider (or mention it during a well-baby exam) if your child has a large pigmented area anywhere on the skin.