What causes epidermal nevus?

Most epidermal nevus syndromes are thought to be caused by a gene mutation that occurs after fertilization of the embryo (postzygotic mutation), at an early stage of embryonic development. Affected individuals have some cells with a normal copy of this gene and some cells with the abnormal gene (mosaic pattern).

How do you treat epidermal nevus?

Surgical excision, dermabrasion, cryosurgery, electrosurgery and laser surgery have each been used to treat epidermal nevi. Surgical excision always result in scar formation and thus is reserved for the small-sized lesions.

Is epidermal nevus curable?

No universally accepted treatment regimens have been worked out for epidermal nevi. Both the type of the lesion and the possibility of the epidermal nevus syndromes being present make the choice of treatment a perplexing one. Both medical and surgical treatments have been used.

What causes Ilven?

ILVEN is caused by a genetic change that occurs after conception ( somatic mutation ). How this alteration leads to the signs and symptoms of ILVEN is not well understood. There is no one treatment or cure for ILVEN.

Can epidermal nevus be inherited?

Epidermal nevi are genetically ‘mosaic’, meaning that the mutation causing the nevi are not found in other cells of the body. Mosaicism arises when the genetic mutation occurs in one of the cells of the early embryo sometime after conception; such mutations are called ‘somatic’ mutations.

Is epidermal nevus common?

Linear epidermal naevus An epidermal naevus usually arises on the trunk and limbs and is uncommon on the face or scalp.

Is ILVEN genetic?

What is ILVEN disease?

Inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus (ILVEN) is a type of skin overgrowth, called epidermal nevus. It is characterized by skin colored, brown, or reddish, wart-like papules (nevi). The nevi join to form patches or plaques that often follow a pattern on the skin known as the “lines of Blaschko“.

How do you get rid of epidermal nevus?

The only way to completely remove these lesions is to have them removed by surgery. Laser does not permanently remove epidermal nevi.

Is nevus a chronic condition?

Nevus (plural nevi) is a nonspecific medical term for a visible, circumscribed, chronic lesion of the skin or mucosa. The term originates from nævus, which is Latin for “birthmark”; however, a nevus can be either congenital (present at birth) or acquired.

What are blaschko lines?

Blaschko lines are consistently V-shaped on the upper spine, S-shaped on the abdomen, inverted U-shaped from the breast area to the upper arm, and perpendicular down the front and back of the lower extremities. They never cross the anterior truncal midline but run along it.

What is LNSS?

Linear nevus sebaceous syndrome (LNSS) is a condition characterized by the association of a large, linear sebaceous nevus (type of birthmark) with a broad range of abnormalities that may affect every organ system, including the central nervous system (CNS). The nevus usually is located on the face, scalp, or neck.

What kind of problems can epidermal nevus syndrome cause?

Sometimes, people with an epidermal nevus may have problems in other body systems, such as the brain, eyes, or bones; these people are said to have an epidermal nevus syndrome, which is a group of different disorders.

What does Solomon mean by epidermal nevus syndrome?

An estimated one third of individuals with epidermal nevi have involvement of other organ systems; hence, this condition is considered to be an epidermal nevus syndrome (ENS). Solomon defines epidermal nevus syndrome as a sporadic neurocutaneous linkage of congenital ectodermal defects in the skin, brain, eyes, and/or skeleton.

Are there symptoms of inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevi?

Usually, no symptoms of the nevi are present, with the exception of inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus. Inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus is a linear, persistent, pruritic plaque, usually first noted on a limb in early childhood.

When does an epidermal nevi develop in a child?

An epidermal nevus is a noncancerous (benign) patch of skin caused by an overgrowth of skin cells. The nevi (plural form of nevus) are seen at birth or develop in early childhood.