Dermatofibroma
Also
known as: Histiocytoma
What is
it?
A
dermatofibroma is a small, round, reddish to brownish
growth, most often found on the legs.
Who gets
it?
Dermatofibromas are quite common, and occur more often
in women over the age of 17.
What
causes it?
Dermatofibromas seem to be caused by some sort of
injury, such as a bump, bug bite, or cut.
What are
the symptoms?
Dermatofibromas look like a hard mole, with colors
ranging from red, to purple, to brown. When pressed,
they feel like tiny, hard lumps under the skin. Some
patients report slight tenderness and itching. While
they are most common on the lower leg, they can appear
on other areas of the body. Dermatofibromas are always
non-cancerous (benign).
How is it
diagnosed?
Dermatofibromas can be diagnosed by appearance during
a routine skin exam. If your doctor is not sure, he or
she may take a small sample of the growth, called a
biopsy, for examination under a microscope.
What is
the treatment?
In most
cases, dermatofibromas require no treatment. However,
if they are irritated by clothing or shaving, they can
be surgically removed in the doctor’s office. Removal
techniques include cryosurgery, in which the growth is
frozen with liquid nitrogen; shave biopsy, in which
the top of the growth is shaved off; and punch biopsy,
in which the growth is punched out in the center.
However, the growth may come back again.
Self-care
tips
Everyone
should have a yearly skin exam by a dermatologist. See
your doctor if any skin growths grow, change in color,
bleed, or become crusty.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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