Nevus (Sebaceous Nevus, Pigmented Cell Nevus, Nevus of Ota, Epidermal Nevus) Quiz
Check your symptoms and
find possible causes with AI for free
Worried about your symptoms?
Start the test with our free AI Symptom Checker.
This will help us personalize your assessment.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Skin has moles or spots of different colors
Hairy mole
Black, blue, or brown spots on the skin or elsewhere
Mole with hair
Discolored macules or moles on skin/mucus membranes
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Nevus (Sebaceous Nevus, Pigmented Cell Nevus, Nevus of Ota, Epidermal Nevus)?
Also known as moles, these are clumps of pigmented (colored) cells. There are many types nevii, from birthmark moles to moles that commonly arise later in life. The type of nevus /mole dictates its appearance, so they can be flat or bumpy, and range in color from skin colored to dark brown to bluish gray.
Typical Symptoms of Nevus (Sebaceous Nevus, Pigmented Cell Nevus, Nevus of Ota, Epidermal Nevus)
- Black/blue/brown spots or moles, on the skin and lining of the mouth
- Mole with hair, on the skin
- Dark spots on skin
- Skin problems
- Redness, bumps, or irritation on the skin
Diagnostic Questions for Nevus (Sebaceous Nevus, Pigmented Cell Nevus, Nevus of Ota, Epidermal Nevus)
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Are there black, blue, or brown spots on your skin? (Including moles)
- Do you have a hairy mole?
- Do you have darkened skin?
- Do you have any skin problems
- Have you noticed any redness, bumps, or irritation on your skin?
Treatment of Nevus (Sebaceous Nevus, Pigmented Cell Nevus, Nevus of Ota, Epidermal Nevus)
Most moles are harmless and can be left alone. However, melanoma skin cancer is a cancerous mole/nevus. It can present as a mole changing rapidly over months, or a mole that looks different from other moles on the body, or meets the ABCDE criteria for melanoma: A for Asymmetry, B for Border irregularity, C for Color variation, D for diameter increase or E for Evolution.
Reviewed By:
Sarita Nori, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Sarita Nori was drawn to dermatology because of the intersection of science and medicine that is at the heart of dermatology. She feels this is what really allows her to help her patients. “There is a lot of problem-solving in dermatology and I like that,” she explains. “It’s also a profession where you can help people quickly and really make a difference in their lives.” | Some of the typical skin problems that Dr. Nori treats include skin cancers, psoriasis, acne, eczema, rashes, and contact dermatitis. Dr Nori believes in using all possible avenues of treatment, such as biologics, especially in patients with chronic diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. “These medications can work superbly, and they are really life-changing for many patients.” | Dr. Nori feels it’s important for patients to have a good understanding of the disease or condition that is affecting them. “I like to educate my patients on their problem and have them really understand it so they can take the best course of action. Patients always do better when they understand their skin condition, and how to treat it.”
Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Content updated on Feb 19, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Was this page helpful?
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
Think you might have
Nevus (Sebaceous Nevus, Pigmented Cell Nevus, Nevus of Ota, Epidermal Nevus)?
Try a symptom check testHow Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Dark skin
- Moles or spots of different colors on skin or lining of the mouth
- Rashes
- Hairy nevus
- Redness of the skin
- Hyperpigmentation
- Leg rash
- Mole with hair on face
- There is darkened skin on the toe
- Red rash
- Hairy birthmark on face
- Hand skin is dry
- Skin is blackened
- Mole with ingrown hair
- Skin mole with hair
See full list
Symptoms Related to Nevus (Sebaceous Nevus, Pigmented Cell Nevus, Nevus of Ota, Epidermal Nevus)
Diseases Related to Nevus (Sebaceous Nevus, Pigmented Cell Nevus, Nevus of Ota, Epidermal Nevus)
FAQs
Q.
New Freckle or Warning Sign? Why Your Skin Is Changing & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Most new freckles are harmless and often tied to sun exposure, hormones, aging, or genetics, but treat any spot with ABCDE warning signs, rapid growth, bleeding, pain, or one that looks unlike your others as a possible melanoma that needs prompt evaluation. There are several factors to consider; see below for medically approved next steps, including how to document and monitor the spot, when to book a skin exam or biopsy, and the skin protection habits that reduce risk and help guide your next move.
References:
* Swetter SM, et al. Evaluation and Management of Pigmented Lesions of the Skin. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017 Mar;76(3):395-407. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2016.05.027. PMID: 28212959.
* Barnhill RL, et al. Early detection of melanoma: a practical guide for clinicians. Cancer Control. 2014 Jan;21(1):15-21. PMID: 24326578.
* Bibbins-Domingo K, et al. Screening for Skin Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2016 Jul 26;316(4):429-35. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.8409. PMID: 27458941.
* Gupta AK, et al. Actinic Keratosis: A Comprehensive Review of Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015 Oct;8(10):28-37. PMID: 26500854.
* Rosendahl C, et al. Dermoscopy for Pigmented Skin Lesions: A Practical Guide. Am Fam Physician. 2017 Jun 15;95(12):788-796. PMID: 28671373.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.
Ubie is recognized by healthcare and tech leaders
“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024
“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023
“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)
Which is the best Symptom Checker?
Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Rosen H, Schmidt B, Lam HP, Meara JG, Labow BI (2009). Management of nevus sebaceous and the risk of Basal cell carcinoma: an 18-year review. Pediatric dermatology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19686305/Kamyab-Hesari K, Seirafi H, Jahan S, Aghazadeh N, Hejazi P, Azizpour A, Goodarzi A (2015). Nevus sebaceus: a clinicopathological study of 168 cases and review of the literature. International journal of dermatology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26381137/Moody MN, Landau JM, Goldberg LH (2011). Nevus sebaceous revisited. Pediatric dermatology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21995782/