Diagnosis
Angel kiss
Diagnosis of nevus simplex is primarily clinical, based on the appearance of the lesions. These patches are usually visible at birth and are identified by their characteristic pink or red coloration and blanching nature. A thorough physical examination by a healthcare provider is generally sufficient for diagnosing nevus simplex, and no additional testing is typically required.
During the examination, the healthcare provider will look for the typical features of nevus simplex, including the location, size, and color of the lesions. The healthcare provider will also check for the blanching characteristic of these patches by applying gentle pressure to see if the color fades temporarily. This simple clinical assessment is usually adequate for confirming the diagnosis of nevus simplex.
Differential Diagnosis
It is crucial to differentiate nevus simplex from other vascular lesions such as port wine stains (nevus flammeus) and infantile hemangiomas. Port wine stains are persistent, unilateral, and may darken with age, indicating a potential association with genetic syndromes. Infantile hemangiomas are vascular tumors that grow rapidly during infancy and may leave residual marks after regression.
Port wine stains, unlike nevus simplex, tend to persist throughout life and may require treatment for cosmetic reasons or if associated with underlying conditions. Infantile hemangiomas, on the other hand, are more common in females and can grow significantly during the first few months of life before gradually regressing. Differentiating these conditions from nevus simplex is important for appropriate management and counseling of parents.
