SKIN CONDITIONS
Dermatofibroma
A common and harmless scar-like lump. A dermatofibroma can appear at the site of an injury, foreign body or insect bite, but usually, the cause is unknown.
- Usually raised and firm
- Can appear anywhere but most common on the legs
- Treatment is not usually required
Dermatofibromas are benign (non-cancer) skin growths that typically appear on the lower legs, upper arms, or upper back. They can develop anywhere on the body and often appear after minor skin damage, such as an insect bite or a splinter.
What does a dermatofibroma look like?
Dermatofibromas are usually small, ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 cm in diameter. They appear as firm, raised nodules that are either skin-coloured or may have a brownish colour. When pinched, the skin over a dermatofibroma may pucker. This is known as the “dimple sign”. Most commonly, they are pale in the middle and pigmented around the edge, although in people with darker skin types they are often pigmented throughout.
MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci
Close-up view of a dermatofibroma, showing a central pale area with a darker margin.
Pigmented dermatofibroma on the calf of an olive-skinned man
Dermoscopic view of a dermatofibroma, showing structureless pale central area surrounded by pigment network
Dermatofibroma dimple sign: The skin puckers when pinched over the dermatofibroma. © DermNet New Zealand
Who gets dermatofibromas?
Dermatofibromas are more commonly seen in adults, with a higher prevalence in women.
Risk factors include a history of minor skin injuries and conditions that affect the immune system, such as HIV or autoimmune diseases.
Treatment for dermatofibromas
Treatment for dermatofibromas is not medically required since they are benign and usually cause no symptoms.
If removal is desired for cosmetic reasons or due to discomfort, surgical excision has the highest success rate. Treatments such as laser surgery or cryotherapy have a higher rate of recurrence due to incomplete removal of the dermatofibroma.
Complications of dermatofibroma
Complications from dermatofibromas are rare but can include tenderness, itching, or pain. In some cases, they may be subject to repeated trauma, such as shaving, which can lead to irritation or bleeding. While dermatofibromas do not evolve into cancer, they can sometimes be mistaken for more serious skin conditions, and might require medical examination for a correct diagnosis.
Treatments for dermatofibromas
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