Nevus Sebaceous

Claudia was born with a bald spot on her head. At first I was told that it was caused from the suction and would go away. When it did not go away, the pediatrian said it was caused from her rubbing against my pelvis while in the womb. So for the last 5 years we just thought she had a birth mark on her head.

Lately it has been red and irritated and a hair dresser thought she might have a fungus. So I took her to the doctor today.

It is actually something called Nevus Sebaceous. Here is what it is:

Nevus sebaceous is a hairless area that is present at birth. It most often occurs on the scalp and less often on the face, neck or trunk. The surface may be smooth or pebbly. The color is often yellow to yellow-orange.

Nevus sebaceous is a small area with too many sebaceous (or lipid-producing) glands. This type of birthmark is not inherited. It may occur equally in males and females of all races. Nevus sebaceous grows at the same rate as the child. Sometimes, it is seen at birth because the hormones from the mother cause the sebaceous glands in the lesion to be active. As the baby ages and hormone levels decrease, it isn’t seen as much. Likewise, as the child enters puberty, the lesion may become thick, raised, and nodular.

The nevus is often removed because a cancerous growth may develop within it later in life.

We are supposed to go back in 6 months to have it re measured and rechecked. He said not to freak-out, that it generally turns into basil cells.

So I am glad that I took her to the doctor. What I thought was a basic birthmark is actually something that needs to be monitored by a doctor because it has the risk to develop into cancer.