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Freckles
Aka: Freckles, Freckle, Ephelides
- Epidemiology
- Common occurrence in light-skinned, red-haired patients
- Onset in childhood, after Sun Exposure
- Signs
- Characteristics
- Light, tan or brown Macules, each 1-2 mm with sharp demarcation
- Darkens with Sun Exposure
- Vary in number from a few to hundreds of Freckles
- Distribution
- Face and nose more commonly affected
- Neck, chest, arms, legs are also affected
- Differential Diagnosis
- Lentigo (juvenile Lentigines onset in childhood, or Solar Lentigines in older adults)
- Lentigo does not darken on sunlight exposure
- Management
- Skin Cancer Prevention
- Sun avoidance
- Sunscreen
- Frequent skin exam
- Cosmetic removal
- Typically not needed (lesions are asymptomatic and fade in winter)
- Same treatments used in Lentigo may be employed for Freckles
- Light Cryotherapy
- Hydroquinone
- Azelaic Acid
- Laser therapy
- References
- Plensdorf (2017) Am Fam Physician 96(12): 797-804 [PubMed]
- Plensdorf (2009) Am Fam Physician 79(2): 109-16 [PubMed]