Living with Nevus of Ito
A slate-brown or blue-gray birthmark, usually on the shoulder and upper arm, caused by pigment cells sitting deeper in the skin.
Understanding Nevus of Ito
The birthmark is usually on the shoulder and upper arm on one side of the body. It can sometimes come with changes in sensation in that patch of skin. It is most common in Asian populations and appears more often in females. It is very uncommon in Caucasians. Very rarely it becomes cancerous.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists this as the most common:
- A colored birthmark (nevus)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include cancer specialists and skin, hair, and nail specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Cancer specialists (oncologists); 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
Quick facts
GARD says the exact cause is unknown.
Also known as: ito's nevus; nevi of ito; nevus fuscocaeruleus acromiodeltoideus
Patient organizations
- Children's Skin Disease FoundationSkin diseases · United States
Broader rare-disease groups
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Nevus of Ito.
Explore research for Nevus of Ito
Explore actively recruiting Nevus of Ito studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Nevus of Ito 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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