Blue Nevus

Key Points
Non-cancerous nevus (mole)
Usually affects older children and teenagers
Can appear anywhere on the skin and vary in size and shape
Consists of lesions of dark or steel blue color

Blue nevi, or blue Moles, are a slightly unusual, non-cancerous version of conventional nevi. Ranging from small lesions of dark or steel blue color, the Blue nevus has the same root cause, the abnormal concentration of pigment cells in the skin, but appear blue because of their deeper location within the skin layers.

Blue nevi may appear anywhere on the body, and generally appear in older children and teenagers, though they can develop at any age.

Differential Diagnosis (Other conditions with similar appearance)

Malignant Melanoma
Paraganglioma-like dermal melanocytic tumor
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Benign Fibrous Histiocytoma

Diagnosis
Key Points
Diagnosis based on appearance
Excision and testing may be performed to rule out other conditions

Blue nevi are typically diagnosed based on appearance. Excision and testing may be performed in some cases to rule out other similar appearing conditions.

Treatment
Treatment is not required
Goal of treatment, if desired, is generally cosmetic
*Surgical excision is the generally accepted treatment for lesions

As a rule, blue nevi are harmless. Unlike atypical nevi, they are non-cancerous and do not indicate a predisposition for the development of skin cancer. If treatment is desired, it is generally cosmetic, and consists of surgical excision.

However, health care professionals may remove the nevi if they suspect it could be an occurrence of a similar-appearing condition, such as Malignant Melanoma.