What is the significance of cafe-au-lait spots?

What is the significance of café-au-lait spots?

They are caused by a collection of pigment-producing melanocytes in the epidermis of the skin. These spots are typically permanent and may grow or increase in number over time. Café au lait spots are often harmless but may be associated with syndromes such as neurofibromatosis type 1 and McCune–Albright syndrome.

What are typical café-au-lait spots?

Café-au-lait spots or macules (CALS or CALM) are flat, pigmented spots on the skin. They are commonly referred to as “birthmarks”, but are often not present at birth. The name café-au-lait spot is derived from the French term for coffee (café) with milk (lait) because they usually have a light brown color.

What is a café-au-lait birthmark?

Cafe au lait (ka-FAY o lay) birthmarks are flat areas of darkened skin, anywhere from tan to dark brown. They are permanent and very common. They can occur anywhere on the body, and the size increases as the child grows. Usually, no treatment is needed. Cafe au lait spots usually appear singly.

When do you refer café-au-lait spots?

When an associated genetic syndrome is suspected, patients should be referred to an appropriate specialist. Patients with six or more cafe-au-lait macules or with other findings suggestive of NF1 should be have a baseline ophthalmologic evaluation with slit lamp examination.

Are café-au-lait spots bad?

Signs and symptoms include: Flat, light brown spots on the skin (cafe au lait spots). These harmless spots are common in many people. Having more than six cafe au lait spots suggests NF1 .

How many café-au-lait spots are normal?

Café au lait spots are harmless and normal, with some people having anywhere from one to three spots. But sometimes, these spots can indicate an underlying genetic problem.

Can you have 6 café-au-lait spots without neurofibromatosis?

Indeed, anyone can have 1 or 2 cafe-au-lait spots without having neurofibromatosis. The only significance to the cafe-au-lait spot is that it suggests the possibility that a person might have NF1. People with NF1 usually have many cafe-au-lait spots, sometimes hundreds, and almost always more than 6.

Should I worry about café-au-lait spots?

Café au lait spots are usually harmless and don’t cause any uncomfortable symptoms or complications. But you shouldn’t ignore these spots, especially if you have more than a handful on your body. This could indicate an underlying genetic disorder.

What kind of coastline is there in Maine?

From Cape Elizabeth to Rockland, the coastline of Maine is a series of peninsulas, narrow estuaries, bays, fjords, and coves—once glacier-covered mountains and valleys now partially submerged in the post-Ice Age rise in sea level. The coast from Rockland to Washington county consists of bays and islands, as well as interior hills.

When is the best time to visit the Maine coast?

Our research is editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. Maine’s rocky coast is full of towns with amazing sights, seafood and activities. While summertime is the most popular time to visit, spring and fall offer beautiful foliage with the benefit of smaller crowds.

What to see and do in Portland Maine?

Almost immediately after setting off on the highway, you can get that Maine vibe in the air. Portland is a cool city, chock full of trendy seafood restaurants that offer more twists than simpler but equally exciting seafood huts through the state.

Where to go for dinner on the Maine coast?

For dinner, Nunan’s trumps all with classic lobster and what is, by far, the best blueberry pie in town. There are many cottage-Iike, cozy inns that fit right into the picture perfect theme, like The Nonantum Resort, which sits right off the water.