eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Benign Neoplasms

Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra: Treatment & Medication

Author: Mehran Nowfar-Rad, MD,, Assistant Clinical Professor, Division of Dermatology, David Geffen School of Medicine University California at Los Angeles; Consulting Physician, Division of Dermatology, Olive View Medical Center
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
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Feb 19, 2009

Treatment

Surgical Care

No treatment generally is indicated for dermatosis papulosa nigra unless lesions are cosmetically undesirable. Aggressive therapeutic modalities have been complicated by postoperative hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation or scarring. Keloid formation is a potential complication. Therefore, conservative treatment is advisable.

Abrasive curettage with or without anesthesia,5 superficial liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, and electrodesiccation followed by curettage have been shown to be effective. Laser therapy has also been reported.6 Both EMLA (topical lidocaine/prilocaine cream) and LMX (topical lidocaine cream) creams are effective for providing topical anesthesia.7 Use caution with all therapies to minimize the depth of treatment.

More on Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra

Overview: Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra
Treatment & Medication: Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra
Follow-up: Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra
References

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.

Further Reading

Keywords

dermatosis papulosa nigra, DPN, hyperpigmented papules, facial papules, seborrheic keratosis

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Mehran Nowfar-Rad, MD,, Assistant Clinical Professor, Division of Dermatology, David Geffen School of Medicine University California at Los Angeles; Consulting Physician, Division of Dermatology, Olive View 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.

Medical Editor

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.

Pharmacy Editor

Michael J Wells, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
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.

Managing Editor

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.

CME Editor

Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Brown University
Catherine 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, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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