'Naevophobia'

Abstract

In recent years there has been intensive media interest in pigmented lesions and several skin cancer prevention/early detection campaigns. Pigmented lesions may cause great anxiety, although patients are usually reassured once their moles have been examined by a dermatologist. We describe a case in which a young man with multiple pigmented naevi attempted to remove all the lesions himself. This self-mutilation occurred despite his having attended a dermatology clinic.