Synonyms
The Mongolian spot is also known as the "Mongolian blue spot", or "blue birthmark".
intradermal (or dermal, if you prefer) present on the patient's skin since birth and, for this reason, defined as "congenital". Sometimes, however, the Mongolian spot may not be present at birth but develop very shortly after.It is a benign formation that usually occurs at the base of the back and can also involve the buttocks (hence the name of congenital dermal melanocytosis in the lumbosacral region).
, on the other hand, the incidence of the Mongolian maquis is decidedly lower and is around 1-10%.
Finally, we specify that the Mongolian spot occurs indifferently both in male infants and in female infants.
at the level of the dermis. More specifically, this melanocytosis occurs when - during embryonic development - melanocytes accumulate in the dermis without being able to reach the epidermis. The typical bluish color of the Mongolian spot is due precisely to the depth of the cells responsible for the production of However, the cause for which melanocytes fail to migrate to the epidermis is still not known.
In any case, fortunately, this high proliferation that leads to the appearance of the Mongolian spot is of a benign type and the possibility of an eventual evolution into a malignant form - although possible - is quite rare.
. The broths are generally irregular and not well defined, while the dimensions are very variable and can even exceed 10 centimeters in diameter.
To be fair, it should be remembered that - albeit rarely - in some cases the Mongolian spot can also manifest itself in the upper back, shoulders, arms, wrists, legs or ankles. In such situations, we speak more properly of aberrant Mongolian stain. In addition, more than one Mongolian spot has been observed in some infants.
Finally, another typical characteristic of the Mongolian scrub is its tendency to regress, gradually clearing up until it disappears completely with the passage of time. Generally, this phenomenon occurs between 5 and 13 years, however, there are also permanent forms of Mongolian stain.
Curiosity: Mongolian Macchia between Myths and Legends
The legends that circulate around the Mongolian scrub are really many. According to one of these, the aforementioned skin lesion would represent a "legacy left by Genghis Khan to the inhabitants of Mongolia. Due to the particular position and the typical coloring with which this melanocytosis manifests itself, the legend identifies the stain as a sign (or rather, a bruise) left by the long periods spent on horseback by Genghis Khan himself and his men.
The fact that some Caucasians also present the Mongolian stain is justified by the same legend as a sign left by the men of Genghis Khan who arrived in Europe at the time of their great conquests.
and does not cause any discomfort to the infant or adult patient (in the case of permanent Mongolian spots). However, if symptoms appear - such as, for example, pain or itching - or if the Mongolian spot undergoes changes in color and / or shape, it is good to consult a doctor immediately. In fact, the appearance of morphological alterations or the onset of symptoms could potentially be related to:
- Evolution of the Mongolian stain into a malignant tumor form (rare but possible occurrence);
- Other cutaneous or non-cutaneous pathologies that have nothing to do with dermal melanocytosis acquired in the lumbosacral region, but which can give rise to similar manifestations.
Did you know that ...
In some cases, the Mongolian spot - due to its characteristic color - can be confused with a bruise and, for this reason, it can lead to suspicion of a possible situation of abuse on the child, with decidedly unpleasant consequences, especially for the parents. Fortunately, nowadays, the Mongolian spot is a fairly well-known melanocytosis, and a dermatologist is able to perfectly distinguish this type of pigmented skin lesion from a bruise.
similar to that of the Mongolian spot, but they tend to appear in characteristic and well-defined locations such as, respectively, the upper part of the shoulder and the periocular area. The blue nevus, on the other hand, is a particular type of acquired and not congenital melanocytic nevus, as is the Mongolian stain.Did you know that ...
It is not uncommon for individuals with Mongolian spot to also manifest nevus of Ota and vice versa.
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