Naevus anaemicus

LAST UPDATED: Oct 02, 2025

Introduction

Naevus anaemicus is an uncommon, circumscribed, persistent patch of pale skin resulting from a pharmacological abnormality in which there is an increased reactivity of blood vessels to catecholamines with no microscopic changes.

This chapter is set out as follows:

Aetiology
History
Clinical findings
Images
Management

Aetiology

Naevus anaemicus arises in all races
It is reported to be more common in females than in males

History

The condition presents at birth or early in childhood
It persists in to adulthood and remains unchanged

Clinical findings

Distribution

Arise most often on the trunk, but can affect any site

Morphology

Usually a single patch of pale skin with irregular borders. Occasionally a mosaic pattern with multiple affected areas
The affected skin does not become urticated on pressure
The border can be obliterated by blanching the surrounding skin - this is best demonstrated by pressing on the surrounding skin with a glass slide (diascopy)

Clinical Images

Please refer to notes on image rights at bottom of the page with regards to individual image ownership.

Naevus anaemicus

Compared to the surrounding…

Same patient as previous image

This had a…

Management

Lesions persist with no effective treatment. Cosmetic camouflage may be of help

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Image Rights - The PCDS would like to thank Dermatoweb, DermQuest (Galderma), and others who have contributed images. All named individuals and organisations maintain copyright for the relevant images.