What is axillary freckling?

Definition. The presence in the axillary region (armpit) of an increased number of freckles, small circular spots on the skin that are darker than the surrounding skin because of deposits of melanin. [ from HPO]

What is the cause of axillary freckling?

Legius syndrome is a rare genetic condition. It is one in a group of conditions called RASopathies (raz-OP-uh-thees). These happen when there's a problem in the way cells in the body communicate. Legius syndrome (LEE-jus SIN-drome) can cause brown spots on the skin, freckles in the armpits, and learning problems.

What is axillary or inguinal freckling?

Most people with NF1 also develop freckles in their armpits (axillary freckles) or freckles in their groin (inguinal freckles). These freckles are helpful in making the diagnosis of NF1, since they develop in areas where freckles do not usually appear in people without NF1.

Is it normal to have freckles on your armpits?

They are all absolutely harmless. They are not cancerous and generally do not become cancerous. A rare skin finding called axillary freckling (freckles in the armpit) is occasionally seen in a rare inherited disease called neurofibromatosis.

When do axillary freckles appear?

The majority of affected children will show axillary or inguinal freckling by the age of 2, and by 11 years most children will have 2 or more neurofibromata of any type or 1 plexiform neurofibroma (slow-growing tumours that involve multiple nerves and fascicles).

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Mnemonic | Signs of NF1

What is the definition of freckling?

Any of the small brownish spots on the skin that turn darker or increase in number upon exposure to the sun. tr. & intr.v. freck·led, freck·ling, freck·les. To dot or become dotted with freckles or spots of color.

When should you be concerned about a freckle?

A mole or freckle should be checked if it has a diameter of more than a pencil eraser or any characteristics of the ABCDEs of melanoma (see below). Dysplastic nevi are moles that are generally larger than average (larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape.

Do freckles go away?

Some people have freckles that fade away almost completely in the winter and return in the summer. Other people's freckles don't change much with or without the sun and can be seen year-round. Freckles also tend to fade as people get older.

Can you remove freckles?

One of the ways that freckles are differentiated from moles is that they're not growths, so they cannot be cut off. The only effective way to fade and/or remove freckles is to stay out of the sun, or to pursue freckle-removal technology.

Why do I have freckles all of a sudden?

Genetics and sun exposure are the primary causes of freckles. Some people are more likely to get freckles than others, depending on their genes and skin type. If a person is genetically more likely to develop freckles, exposure to sunlight can make them appear.

At what age is neurofibromatosis usually diagnosed?

Neurofibromatosis 1. Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is usually diagnosed during childhood. Signs are often noticeable at birth or shortly afterward and almost always by age 10. Signs and symptoms are often mild to moderate, but can vary in severity.

What is the life expectancy of a person with neurofibromatosis?

If there are no complications, the life expectancy of people with NF is almost normal. With the right education, people with NF can live a normal life. Although mental impairment is generally mild, NF1 is a known cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Is NF1 life threatening?

In most cases, symptoms of NF1 are relatively mild, allowing patients to live normal and productive lives. However, the disorder can also be debilitating and, in some cases, life-threatening. NF1 can lead to problems within various systems, organs and functions of the body including: Skin, bone and eye abnormalities.

What diseases cause brown spots?

Is it normal to get new freckles?

Your skin can develop new spots after sun exposure. Or an old freckle or mole that's looked the same for years can suddenly change in size, shape or color. You have to be familiar with the spots on your skin to catch these changes.

Where do freckles come from?

When we're outside in the sun, specialized skin cells called melanocytes go to work producing pigment to protect our skin. If the pigment is produced evenly across your skin, you end up with a tan. But if pigment is produced in some areas more than others, you get freckles.

How do you get rid of freckles naturally?

How do I stop getting freckles?

The first step is to stay out of the sun for extended periods of time. And if you are soaking up sunlight, make sure you apply a 30+ SPF sunscreen to your skin beforehand and re-apply every couple of hours (or as directed). Additionally, you might try applying retinol cream to your freckled and/or sun damaged skin.

At what age do freckles fade?

Freckles often show up during childhood, and you may continue to get more until you're in your 20s.

Are freckles skin damage?

Freckles themselves aren't a sign of damage to the skin. However, people who have freckles are more likely to be sensitive to the sun's ultraviolet rays that cause damage.

What's the difference between freckles and sunspots?

Freckles are also known to fade with age. Sunspots are flat areas of discolouration or spots, that can be tan or varying shades of brown. In comparison to freckles, sunspots are usually darker, larger and have a more defined shape. Sunspots also tend to stay this way regardless of the amount of sun exposure.

Do you get more freckles as you age?

A: Actually no, you tend to get fewer the older you get. Your skin doesn't respond to the sun the same way as it did when you were younger. You can, however, get solar lentigines (also known as sun spots or age spots), which are sun-induced brown spots, usually appearing as a patch of darken skin.

How do I know if a freckle is cancerous?

The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred. The color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue. The spot is larger than ¼ inch across – about the size of a pencil eraser – although melanomas can sometimes be smaller than this.

What is a suspicious freckle?

A for Asymmetry – the mole is not symmetrical. B for Border – the border of a freckle/mole is suspicious. C for Color – there is a variation in color within the spot or compared to other moles/freckles. D for Diameter – the mole is larger than 6mm in diameter.

Can freckles be melanoma?

Freckles are noncancerous, but they may be confused with skin cancer. Excessive sun exposure is a risk factor for both freckles and melanomas. Melanoma is more common in people with fair skin or freckles than in those with dark skin.