White Mark around a mole

[Dancing Queen]

Hi, my son last year got a sun tan. However around a mole on his back a white circle formed. As his tan has faded over the year the white circle around the mole has remained. Is this something I need to be worried about?

[Dr Jonathan Bowling]

Dear Dancing Queen,
This sounds very much like a 'halo naevus' which is a common benign change in moles particularly in children and teenagers. Often more than one mole are affected - take a look at the others closely. This common reaction is caused by your son's immune system targeting the mole and will gradually result in the complete removal of all the pigment cells in the mole. Once this occurs the skin tends to repigiment normally. Worth getting your son to the GP if the white 'halo' is not symmetrical or if you have any concerns. Hope this helps.