Becker’s Nevus Syndrome (BNS)
Dr. Harun Ar Rashid, MD - Arthritis, Bones, Joints Pain, Trauma, and Internal Medicine Specialist Becker’s Nevus Syndrome (BNS) is a skin disorder where individuals develop a patch of dark, hairy skin and may have other abnormalities.
Types of Becker’s Nevus Syndrome:
- Isolated Becker’s Nevus: Only a skin patch, no other issues.
- Becker’s Nevus Syndrome: Skin patch + other abnormalities, like skeletal or muscular changes.
Causes/Risk Factors:
It’s not caused by any specific factors you can control, but here are aspects related to its development:
- Genetics
- Hormonal changes
- Male predominance
- Appears in adolescence
- Sun exposure
- Sporadic mutation
- Skin injury (rarely)
- Endocrine imbalance
- Possible association with androgens
- It’s not contagious
(Note: The exact cause of BNS is not entirely understood, but a combination of genetics and hormones is believed to play a role.)
Symptoms:
- Darkened skin patch
- Excess hair growth on the patch
- Uneven skin texture
- Acne-like spots on the nevus
- Slight skin thickening
- Painless
- Muscle underdevelopment (in some cases)
- Skeletal abnormalities (e.g., scoliosis)
- Asymmetry in breast size (in females)
- Asymmetry in the pectoral muscles (in males)
- Enlarged hands/feet (occasionally)
- Absent or underdeveloped pectoral muscle
- Spinal deformities
- Dental issues (occasionally)
- Patch growth over time
- Non-itchy
- Not linked with skin cancer
- Common on the upper trunk or shoulder
- Less common on the face or lower body
- Only one side of the body affected usually
Diagnostic Tests:
- Clinical examination
- Dermoscopy
- Skin biopsy
- X-ray (for skeletal abnormalities)
- MRI (for muscle abnormalities)
- Blood tests (to rule out other conditions)
- Hormone level tests
- Genetic testing
- Wood’s lamp examination
- Histopathological examination
- Ultrasound (for muscle assessment)
- Skin thickness measurement
- Examination under magnification
- Assessment of hair density
- Personal and family medical history review
- Photo documentation (for tracking)
- Comparison with older photos
- Skeletal survey
- Dental examination (if dental issues are suspected)
- Assessment of muscle strength and function
Treatments:
- No treatment (if no distress)
- Laser hair removal
- Topical skin lighteners
- Microdermabrasion
- Chemical peels
- Laser skin resurfacing
- Camouflage makeup
- Hair reduction creams
- Tattooing to match skin color
- Surgical removal (rare)
- Cryotherapy (for skin texture)
- Muscle implants (for underdeveloped muscles)
- Physical therapy (for muscle/skeletal issues)
- Counseling (for emotional distress)
- Sun protection
- Moisturizers (to maintain skin health)
- Retinoids (for acne-like spots)
- Avoiding skin irritants
- Orthopedic support (for skeletal abnormalities)
- Braces (for spinal issues)
- Breast augmentation/reduction (for asymmetry)
- Hormone therapy (in rare cases)
- Wearing loose clothes (to avoid irritation)
- Non-prescription pain relievers (for discomfort)
- Corticosteroid creams (for inflammation)
- Topical antibiotics (for infections)
- Antihistamines (for itching)
- Support groups
- Educational resources
- Regular check-ups
Drugs:
- Hydroquinone (skin lightener)
- Tretinoin (retinoid)
- Eflornithine (hair growth reducer)
- Topical steroids
- Topical antibiotics
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Oral antihistamines
- Topical antihistamines
- Benzoyl peroxide (for acne-like spots)
- Oral antibiotics (for infections)
- Sunscreen
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Hormone replacement therapy (rare)
- Topical retinoids
- Alpha hydroxy acids (for skin care)
- Glycolic acid creams
- Salicylic acid (for acne-like spots)
- Azelaic acid
- Topical calcineurin inhibitors
- Oral contraceptives (hormone regulation)
In Simple English:
Becker’s Nevus Syndrome is a skin issue where a person has a dark, hairy patch and might have muscle or bone problems too. We don’t know why it happens, but maybe genes and hormones have a role. You can find out if you have it by seeing a doctor and maybe getting some tests. If it bothers you, there are treatments like creams, lasers, or surgeries to help. It’s not dangerous, but if you’re concerned, always talk to a doctor.
Disclaimer: Each person’s journey is unique, always seek the advice of a medical professional before trying any treatments to ensure to find the best plan for you. This guide is for general information and educational purposes only. If you or someone are suffering from this disease condition bookmark this page or share with someone who might find it useful! Boost your knowledge and stay ahead in your health journey. Thank you for giving your valuable time to read the article.
