Liver spot Classification & external resources
ICD-10
| L81.4
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ICD-9
| 709.09
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DiseasesDB
| 34327
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MedlinePlus
| 001141
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eMedicine
| derm/221
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MeSH
| D007911
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Liver spots are blemishes on the skin associated with ageing and exposure to ultra-violet radiation from the sun. They are also known as age spots, sun spots, lentigos, or senile/solar lentigines. They range in color from light brown to red or black and are located in areas most often exposed to the sun, particularly the hands, face, shoulders, arms and forehead. In spite of their name, liver spots are not related to the liver, rather to the liver colouration of the spots.
Additional recommended knowledge
From the age of 40 onwards, the skin is less able to regenerate from sun exposure and liver spots are very common in this older age group, particularly in those who enjoy being out in the sunshine. They have been known to proliferate in some individuals under emotional distress.
In the vast majority of cases, such as Abraham Bers' liver spots, they pose no threat and no treatment is necessary. In a very small number of cases, they have been known to obscure the detection of skin cancer.
Some people consider these spots unsightly and wish to have them removed for cosmetic reasons. This can be done by cryotherapy or laser treatment.
See also
Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (integumentary system) (L, 680-709) |
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Infections | Staphylococcus (Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, Impetigo, Boil, Carbuncle) - Cellulitis (Paronychia) - Acute lymphadenitis - Pilonidal cyst - Corynebacterium (Erythrasma) |
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Bullous disorders | Pemphigus - Pemphigoid (Bullous pemphigoid) - Dermatitis herpetiformis |
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Dermatitis and eczema | Atopic dermatitis - Seborrhoeic dermatitis (Dandruff, Cradle cap) - Diaper rash - Urushiol-induced contact dermatitis - Contact dermatitis - Erythroderma - Lichen simplex chronicus - Prurigo nodularis - Itch - Pruritus ani - Nummular dermatitis - Dyshidrosis - Pityriasis alba |
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Papulosquamous disorders | Psoriasis (Psoriatic arthritis) - Parapsoriasis (Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta, Pityriasis lichenoides chronica) - Pityriasis rosea - Lichen planus - Pityriasis rubra pilaris - Lichen nitidus |
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Urticaria and erythema | Urticaria (Dermatographic urticaria, Cholinergic urticaria) - Erythema (Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Erythema nodosum, Erythema annulare centrifugum, Erythema marginatum) |
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Radiation-related disorders | Sunburn - Actinic keratosis - Polymorphous light eruption - Radiodermatitis - Erythema ab igne |
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Disorders of skin appendages | nail disease: Ingrown nail - Onychogryposis - Beau's lines - Yellow nail syndrome
hair loss: Alopecia areata (Alopecia totalis, Alopecia universalis, Ophiasis) - Androgenic alopecia - Telogen effluvium - Traction alopecia - Lichen planopilaris - Trichorrhexis nodosa
other follicular disorders: Hypertrichosis (Hirsutism) - Acne vulgaris - Rosacea (Perioral dermatitis, Rhinophyma) - follicular cysts (Epidermoid cyst, Sebaceous cyst, Steatocystoma multiplex) - Pseudofolliculitis barbae - Hidradenitis suppurativa
sweat disorders: eccrine (Miliaria, Anhidrosis) - apocrine (Body odor, Chromhidrosis, Fox-Fordyce disease) |
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Other | pigmentation (Vitiligo, Melasma, Freckle, Café au lait spot, Lentigo/Liver spot) - Seborrheic keratosis - Acanthosis nigricans - Callus - Pyoderma gangrenosum - Bedsore - Keloid - Granuloma annulare - Necrobiosis lipoidica - Granuloma faciale - Lupus erythematosus - Morphea - Calcinosis cutis - Sclerodactyly - Ainhum - Livedoid vasculitis |
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see also congenital (Q80-Q84, 757) |
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