What is dermatofibroma? Causes of appearance, treatment, removal

Skin problems occur in many people. The cause for concern is often a variety of rashes and formations. They really need to pay attention and consult with a dermatologist. After all, the appearance on the skin of various "outgrowths", pimples or moles can be a sign of a serious illness. Therefore, it is very dangerous to start medicamental treatment independently (and even more so - surgical treatment). One of the pathological formations is dermatofibroma. The reasons for its appearance may be different. To ensure that this education has not acquired a malignant character and does not cause anxiety due to a cosmetic defect, it is recommended to remove it.

Dermatofibroma - what is this for a rash?

Dermatofibroma refers to benign neoplasm of the skin. Its other name is a histiocytoma (or sclerosing hemangioma). It is formed in the depths of the skin, and only a small part of it leaves the outside. In most cases, dermatofibromas occur in the female population. Usually there is only one formation, less often - a lot. Most often occurs dermatofibroma on the leg. However, it can appear on the upper limbs, shoulder, face and other areas. In appearance, this formation resembles a mole or a wart. It usually has a smooth surface. If an education is found on the skin, patients ask the doctor a question: "What is dermatofibroma?". You should know that it does not pose a health hazard, but it can develop into a tumor under the influence of provoking factors. This rash consists of a fibrous tissue containing fibers. Usually it is small in size, about 1 cm in diameter. Such a benign formation consists of cells - fibroblasts and histiocytes. Dermatofibromas can differ in color. There are pink, brown, purple, black and gray shades of this formation. Its shape is often rounded.

Causes of dermatofibrom

Dermatofibroma - what is it and where does it come from? Even experienced specialists can not answer this question. Since the exact cause of benign skin lesions has not yet been clarified. Earlier it was assumed that the appearance of various rashes of non-infectious genesis is associated with insect bites. At the moment, this theory is unreasonable. Among the factors that affect the occurrence of dermatofibrom, stands out:

1. Hereditary predisposition. In most cases, people with benign neoplasms have evidence that the pathology has been transmitted genetically from the mother or other close relatives.
2. Pollution of the environment. Benign rashes are often present in people living in conditions of poor ecology (in the locations of factories and factories).
3. Harmful production. People at risk of chemical or radiation exposure are at risk.
4. Age features. Most often, dermatofibromas occur in adults and old age.
5. Female.
6. Injuries of the skin. There are different types of damage (cuts, bites of insects and animals, calluses).

In addition to predisposing factors, there are data that dermatofibromas often develop against other diseases. Among them: tuberculosis, acne (pustular lesion of the skin of the face), liver pathology, chicken pox.

What are the types of dermatofibrom?

Depending on the type of formation and its consistency, as well as the causes of appearance, 3 forms are distinguished by the dermatofibrom. Regardless of the variety, they are all benign. Allocate the following forms:

1. Mild dermatofibroma. In most cases, it forms on the skin after damage. Its size can be different. When palpating such a dermatofibroma it can be found that it has a flabby, soft consistency. The color of the formation is usually corpulent or yellowish pink. The surface is smooth. Often, such formations have a base - a thin stem. They slowly increase in size or do not tend to grow. In most cases, the face and body are located on the skin.
2. Hard dermatofibroma. Such an examination looks like a cluster of several lobules or small spheres. It is well delimited from the skin. Color - dark red or corpulent. The size of a solid dermatofibroma can vary from 0.5 to 2 cm in diameter. To the touch it is dense. Has a tendency to self-extinction and appearance. This education is never malignant. May occur on any surface of the skin.
3. Lenticular dermatofibroma. It is one or more dense nodules on the skin. It has a small size - up to 1 cm. The color of this formation varies from red to black.

Symptoms

Dermatofibroma - what is it and how to distinguish the given formation from other pathologies of the skin? Only an experienced doctor can diagnose and identify symptoms. With this problem, you need to contact a dermatologist. If necessary, he will refer you to an oncologist or surgeon. The following symptoms are characteristic of dermatofibromas (histiocytomas):

1. Education is most often round in shape.
2. Surface - smooth, in rare cases - warty.
3. Has a tendency to slow growth.
4. The color of dermatofibroma most often depends on the clinical form (from flesh tinge to black).
5. In most cases occurs in middle-aged women on the skin of the lower or upper extremities, face, trunk.
6. When rubbing against clothing can be accompanied by unpleasant sensations, itching, redness.
7. Damage to this new growth leads to bleeding.

How is dermatofibroma diagnosed?

Despite the fact that dermatofibroma refers to benign processes, when it appears, you should consult a doctor. After all, skin formations are very similar to each other, and it is difficult to distinguish them for those who do not have experience in this case. First of all, the doctor asks questions about how long this rash has appeared, whether it has changed over time, whether the patient is worried or not. He then conducts palpation. Dermatofibroma can have a dense or soft consistency and lobed structure. When pressing on the formation, it flexes into the skin. Palpation of dermatofibroma can cause painful sensations. Pathological discharge should not normally occur. Finally, one can be sure of the correctness of the diagnosis only by taking a biopsy and carrying out a histological and cytological study.

What differentiates dermatofibromas?

In order not to confuse dermatofibroma with other neoplasms, you should know what other changes on the skin can remind it. Among them, benign tumors, which tend to malignant. An example is the pigment nevus. Also remind dermatofibromus in appearance can xanthoma - a rash on the skin that occurs with diseases of the internal organs (most often the liver). In addition, this benign education is confused with cancer. These are malignant tumors, such as melanoma and dermatofibrosarcoma. To make sure the process is of good quality, a biopsy is necessary.

Dermatofibroma: treatment of pathology

The choice of method of treatment depends on the size of the education and whether it makes the patient uncomfortable. In some cases, it is recommended to observe dermatofibromus. Operative treatment is performed with bleeding formation, large size or rapid growth.

Folk recipes

People can be treated only after an accurate diagnosis. Otherwise, it can harm your health. On the field of dermatofibromas it is recommended to apply solutions of magnesia or camphor alcohol. Doctors consider these methods dangerous. After removing the formation, it is recommended not to injure the skin, avoid sunlight, eat more fruits and vegetables. This will help to avoid relapse.

Surgical intervention

Removal of dermatofibroma is a simple operation. Surgical intervention is carried out in 2 ways:

1. Excision of education. It is used for large sizes of dermatofibroma.
2. Laser vaporization. It is considered a painless and quick procedure.

After the removal of benign education on the skin, the patient can leave the clinic on the same day. The operation takes only a few minutes. The risk of complications with this intervention is minimal.