Overview
Congenital panfollicular nevus is an extremely rare skin condition that is present at birth. It is a type of nevus, which is a benign (non-cancerous) growth or birthmark on the skin. In this condition, the nevus involves all parts of the hair follicle structure, which is why it is called 'panfollicular' — meaning it affects the entire follicle. The condition falls under the broader category of non-neoplastic nevi, which are developmental skin markings that are not tumors. Because this condition is so rare, detailed medical literature is very limited. The affected area of skin may appear as a distinct patch or plaque that differs in color, texture, or hair growth compared to surrounding normal skin. The lesion is typically noticed at birth or in early infancy. Treatment is generally not required unless the nevus causes cosmetic concerns or complications. In some cases, surgical removal may be considered. Because so few cases have been reported, the full range of features and long-term outlook is not completely understood. Patients with this condition should be evaluated by a dermatologist familiar with rare skin nevi to confirm the diagnosis and discuss any management options.
Key symptoms:
Unusual skin patch or birthmark present at birthAbnormal hair growth in the affected areaSkin plaque with different texture than surrounding skinDiscolored area of skinThickened or raised skin lesion
Clinical phenotype terms (6)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Congenital panfollicular nevus.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Congenital panfollicular nevus.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Congenital panfollicular nevus.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Can you confirm this is a congenital panfollicular nevus and not another type of birthmark?,Is a skin biopsy needed to confirm the diagnosis?,Is there any risk of this lesion becoming cancerous over time?,Should this birthmark be surgically removed, or is observation sufficient?,How often should we schedule follow-up skin examinations?,Are there any signs of change I should watch for at home?,Could this condition be related to any other health issues?
Common questions about Congenital panfollicular nevus
What is Congenital panfollicular nevus?
Congenital panfollicular nevus is an extremely rare skin condition that is present at birth. It is a type of nevus, which is a benign (non-cancerous) growth or birthmark on the skin. In this condition, the nevus involves all parts of the hair follicle structure, which is why it is called 'panfollicular' — meaning it affects the entire follicle. The condition falls under the broader category of non-neoplastic nevi, which are developmental skin markings that are not tumors. Because this condition is so rare, detailed medical literature is very limited. The affected area of skin may appear as a d
How is Congenital panfollicular nevus inherited?
Congenital panfollicular nevus follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Congenital panfollicular nevus typically begin?
Typical onset of Congenital panfollicular nevus is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.