Halo Nevus ICD-10: D22.9

Benign pigmented lesion / Melanocytic nevus variant

Often searched as: mole with white ring around it, mole losing color around edges, white halo around mole, mole with white circle, depigmented ring around dark spot, mole fading from the outside, white patch around mole, halo nevus photos…

Clinical urgency level

lowmediumhigh

Systems Affected

skin

Severity Levels

mild

Classic halo nevus in a child or young adult — symmetric central mole with uniform depigmented ring, stable — monitoring only.

moderate

Multiple halo nevi, or halo nevus in an adult over 40 — warrants full-body skin exam to rule out associated melanoma causing immune-triggered regression.

severe

Halo nevus where the central mole shows atypical features (asymmetry, irregular border, multiple colors) or where halo is irregular — urgent dermatologist evaluation needed.

Red Flags

The central mole looks asymmetric, has irregular borders, or contains multiple colors
Multiple new halo nevi appearing simultaneously in an adult — possible immune response to a nearby melanoma
The surrounding white halo is irregular or patchy rather than uniform
Patient has a personal or family history of melanoma
Halo nevus in a person over 50 — less typical and needs evaluation
Central mole that bleeds, itches, or ulcerates

Clinical Presentation

Halo nevus — central brown mole surrounded by a symmetric ring of depigmented skin

Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0 )

Halo nevus image gallery — DermNet NZ

View gallery on DermNet NZ (image gallery reference)

When to See a Doctor

Halo nevi in children and teenagers are almost always benign and just need monitoring. See a dermatologist if you're an adult developing new halo nevi, if you have multiple at once, if the central mole looks atypical, or if you have a personal or family history of melanoma. A full-body skin check is recommended.

Differential Diagnosis

Melanoma in regression (critical — irregular halo, atypical central lesion)
Vitiligo surrounding a mole (larger, irregular depigmentation — not centered on nevus)
Blue nevus with halo
Spitz nevus with halo (in children)
Post-inflammatory depigmentation around a traumatized mole

Comorbidities

Vitiligo (associated in some patients — shared autoimmune mechanism)
Thyroid autoimmune disease (associated with vitiligo and halo nevi)
Melanoma elsewhere on the body (multiple halo nevi may signal immune response to melanoma)
Atopic dermatitis (slightly higher prevalence)

Prognosis

Halo nevi are benign and follow a predictable cycle: the central mole gradually fades and disappears over months to years, leaving a white patch that eventually repigments. The process can take 1–5 years. In children, the prognosis is excellent with no treatment needed. In adults with atypical features, evaluation is required. The white patch left after the mole disappears is not vitiligo and typically repigments over time. No malignant transformation risk in classic halo nevi.

Detailed Overview

Causes, Symptoms, and When to Take Action A halo nevus is a benign skin lesion characterized by a melanocytic mole surrounded by a depigmented ring ('halo'). It is generally harmless and considered cosmetic in nature. How It Looks Texture: Smooth central nevus, often surrounded by a visibly depigmented area Color: Central mole may be tan, pink, or brown; halo is white or hypopigmented Shape: Round or oval nevus with a uniform halo of depigmentation Location: Can appear anywhere but often found on the trunk Why Does It Appear? The exact cause is unknown, but halo nevi are thought to arise from an immune reaction targeting melanocytes in the nevus. Immune cells, particularly T lymphocytes, surround the lesion and lead to loss of pigmentation in both the mole and surrounding skin. Should You Be Concerned? Halo nevi are benign and typically resolve naturally over time. However, because melanoma in regression may appear similar, any lesion that changes in size, shape, color, or becomes symptomatic should be re-evaluated to rule out malignancy. Can You Prevent It? There is no known way to prevent halo nevi. Routine skin monitoring is recommended to ensure stability. 👉 How Piel AI Can Help Piel AI enables you to monitor changes in halo nevi through regular imaging. While it does not diagnose, it helps track stability or changes in the lesion and supports conversations with healthcare providers. Summary Halo nevus is a benign mole surrounded by a white halo caused by immune activity. It is usually harmless and resolves naturally. Monitor for any atypical changes and seek evaluation if they occur. Imaging and tracking can aid in ensuring lesion stability.

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