Resolved question:
I'm 26 years old foreigner student living in Germany. I have a question about the Neurofibromatosis F1/F2. My english is not good and I can't communicate with the german doctors here at all. Please give me some advise. I'm really desperate and scared.
Both side of my family is healthy and I never heard that any member of my families having a problem with the Neurofibromatosis F1/F2 before. But lately, I've found the Cafe-Au-Lait Spots on my body (small light brown, not big at all.) And after talk to my boyfriend, He decided to take a look and I've found 4 Cafe-Au-Lait spots over my body. Even my mother seem surprise because the spots are so light that most people didn't recognise that I have it. Here is the question.
1. Am I having a chance to have the Neurofibromatosis F1/F2? My skin is perfectly fine and right now I didn't have any symptoms after checking on the internet. Only the Cafe-Au-Lait Spots.
2. My parent is really scared and worried after they looking on many article on internet. Is there any chance that I could do the genetics test if I'm having the Neurofibromatosis F1/F2?
3. Which specialist doctor I should visit? I'm living alone in Germany right now. I feel lost and I don't know where to start.
I've taken a photos of my Cafe-Au-Lait Spots. The photos quality maybe not that good, but it maybe good for the doctor to explain if this is normal or not.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Dermatologist
Hello,
Thank you for choosing DoctorSpring.
The hyper pigmented lesion in the images is not very suggestive (but still possible) of a Cafe au lait spot (CALS). Even if its is, it appears to be a small one. But Cafe au lait spots are nothing dangerous or complicated per se. They are just pigmented birthmarks. As many as 25 percent of the normal population will have one to three CALS.
I do understand you concern. What you need to understand while NF1 can mostly have CALS, not all CALS are related to NF1. Not even multiple CALS. Infact most of the CALS we see in clinical practice are insignificant.
There is criteria for NF1 diagnosis. You do not seem to fit this. However you can get in checked with your Doctor. During the you next annual physical examination you can mention these spots to your Doctor and he/she will look for other signs to be sure. There is no need for any concern. And one more thing, just call them birth marks rather than Cafe au Lait spots.
Hope this helps
Feel free to ask followup questions
Thank you
Hello,
Thank you so much for the reply. I’m feel a bit release since I’ve heard from the professional Dermatologist doctor on the website that I should not be worried about my birthmarks. I’ve met the german doctor today who said the same thing. But he’s also recommended me to see the dermatologist doctor for the correct result.
Anyway, here is the pictures of my birthmarks that I’ve taken today with a better camera. Here you would be able to see it 4 spots of the birthmarks in my body.
Please give me some advise if this is cafe le lair spots or not.
Hello
Thanks for your reply. Apologies for the delay in getting back to you.
I checked all the photos and only one out of four looks like cafe au lait macules. You said they haven't been there since birth and only have come up of late. Hence they can't be referred to as birth marks.
They could be acquired melanocytic nevi which is similar to birth marks and have no implications.
Cafe au lait macule can be present in normal individuals as I said earlier.
I sent you the link for the criteria.
So there is no need for any worry.
Hope this helps
Feel free to ask followups
Take care
Hello
Thank you so much for the reply, Last question, there is only one thing that still worried me since my first posted. There are many red dots on my back. It’s very itchy and scratchy right now. I don’t know where it came from. Is it an allergic or it could be something serious? (first I've thought it's related to NF1 but since I've got the answered, I'm a bit confused) I’m also have some of it on my chest.
I've uploaded another picture. You could see it all over my back.
Thank you so much and I hope to hear from you soon. An early reply would be much appreciated. Sorry again for my poor english.
Hello
Thanks for your reply.
This seems to be due to seborrheic dermatitis and folliculitis, it doesn't seem to be related to Neurofibromatosis.
I would recommend application of neosporin cream and cortisone cream twice a day for two weeks.
Please let me know if you have any queries.
Take care
Hello,
I’ve the appointment with the Dermatologist doctor today and he said that he can’t find any sign of NF1. Instead, he gave me the medication that I should put on my skin 2 times per day. Here is the list of the cream;
Clotrimazolum 2.0 g
Propylenglycolum 20.0 g
Alcohol Isopropilico 50.0 g
Aqua Purificata plus zusch28.0 g
I feel so much better now. I still got some of the red dots over my breast and also my back but doctor said it's nothing serious at all. Thank you so much for your information.
You are welcome. I am glad your condition is resolving.