Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Mehran Nowfar-Rad, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 6, 2011
 

History

Lesions usually begin during puberty. They tend to increase steadily in number and size as the individual ages.

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Physical

Dermatosis papulosa nigra is characterized by multiple, firm, smooth, dark brown to black, flattened papules that measure 1-5 mm in diameter. Lesions occur mainly on the malar area of the face and the forehead, although they also may be found on the neck, upper back, and chest. A small percentage of patients have similar lesions on the upper trunk. Scaling, crusting, and ulceration do not occur.

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Causes

Dermatosis papulosa nigra is likely to be genetically determined, with 40-54% of patients having a family history of involvement. Dermatosis papulosa nigra is believed to be caused by a nevoid developmental defect of the pilosebaceous follicle. Hairston et al have suggested that dermatosis papulosa nigra should be classified within the group of epithelial nevi.[4]

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Mehran Nowfar-Rad, MD  Consulting Physician, Division of Dermatology, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center

Mehran Nowfar-Rad, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Society of Dermatopathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Frederick Fish, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, St Paul Ramsey Medical Center; Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota

Frederick Fish, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, American Society of Dermatopathology, Pacific Dermatologic Association, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD  Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Vermont College of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Division of Dermatology, Fletcher Allen Health Care

Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Contact Dermatitis Society, American Dermatological Association, Dermatology Foundation, Medical Dermatology Society, and Women's Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Edward F Chan, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Dunwell P, Rose A. Study of the skin disease spectrum occurring in an Afro-Caribbean population. Int J Dermatol. Apr 2003;42(4):287-9. [Medline].

  2. Grimes PE, Arora S, Minus HR, Kenney JA Jr. Dermatosis papulosa nigra. Cutis. Oct 1983;32(4):385-6, 392. [Medline].

  3. Babapour R, Leach J, Levy H. Dermatosis papulosa nigra in a young child. Pediatr Dermatol. Dec 1993;10(4):356-8. [Medline].

  4. Hairston MA Jr, Reed RJ, Derbes VJ. Dermatosis papulosa nigra. Arch Dermatol. May 1964;89:655-8. [Medline].

  5. Kauh YC, McDonald JW, Rapaport JA, Ruschak PJ, Luscombe HA. A surgical approach for dermatosis papulosa nigra. Int J Dermatol. Dec 1983;22(10):590-2. [Medline].

  6. Schweiger ES, Kwasniak L, Aires DJ. Treatment of dermatosis papulosa nigra with a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser: report of two cases. J Cosmet Laser Ther. Jun 2008;10(2):120-2. [Medline].

  7. Carter EL, Coppola CA, Barsanti FA. A randomized, double-blind comparison of two topical anesthetic formulations prior to electrodesiccation of dermatosis papulosa nigra. Dermatol Surg. Jan 2006;32(1):1-6. [Medline].

  8. Andrews GC, et al. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1990:752.

  9. Elder D, et al. Lever's Histopathology of the Skin. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott-Raven; 1997:693.

  10. Moschella SL, Hurley HJ. Dermatology. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1992:2162-3.

  11. Rook A, Wilkinson DS, Ebling FJG. Textbook of Dermatology. Vol 2. Oxford, England: Blackwell Scientific; 1998:1660-1.

 
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