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Living with Familial generalized lentiginosis

A rare inherited skin condition with many flat brown spots over the body and no other health problems.

Understanding Familial generalized lentiginosis

Familial generalized lentiginosis is a rare inherited skin condition with many flat brown spots (lentigines) over the body.

The spots are brown to dark brown, flat, and about 0.2 to 1 cm wide. They can be found all over the body, sometimes on the palms or soles, but not inside the mouth. GARD says there are no other health problems. It can appear at any time in life.

Signs & symptoms

GARD describes this feature in its summary:

  • Many flat brown spots (lentigines)
  • Spots over the whole body
  • Spots sometimes on the palms or soles

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists and skin, hair, and nail specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in SASH1 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

Care & treatment

Care team
Genetic specialists (geneticists); Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Children's Skin Disease Foundation
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Do the spots need regular skin checks?
Can genetic testing for the SASH1 gene confirm this diagnosis?
Could my children inherit this condition?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startany time in life
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant
GenesSASH1

Changes in the SASH1 gene cause this condition. It is autosomal dominant, which means a change in one copy of the gene can cause it.

GeneticSkin

Also known as: familial lentigines profusa; familial multiple lentigines syndrome without systemic involvement; lentiginosis profusa; lentiginosis, diffuse; lentiginosis, generalized; lentiginosis, inherited patterned

Patient organizations

Broader rare-disease groups

Source: NIH GARD · Familial generalized lentiginosisGARD ID 17158 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Familial generalized lentiginosis.

Explore the Familial generalized lentiginosis blog

Explore research for Familial generalized lentiginosis

Explore actively recruiting Familial generalized lentiginosis studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Familial generalized lentiginosis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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