title: Blue scalp discoloration in infants caused by exogenous source.
abstract: A blue patch on the vertex scalp of an infant has a broad differential diagnosis, including vascular malformations, melanocytic lesions, trauma, and exogenous or endogenous pigmentation. We present two cases of infants who developed blue patches on the scalp. Extensive examination including MRI and biopsy was recommended for one of the patients to further characterize the lesion and its possible medical implications. In both, the blue discoloration had been due to repetitive contact with the sticker on a tub of baby wipes that had rubbed off onto the scalp. We present these infants to highlight this exogenous and benign cause of blue pigmentation and help practitioners avoid unnecessary examination.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Catalano
authors.affiliation: Palmetto Dermatology, Columbia, South Carolina.
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Section of Dermatology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.|Section of Dermatology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boos
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.affiliation: Section of Dermatology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.|Section of Dermatology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Treat
mesh_terms: D004396:Coloring Agents; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012535:Scalp
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents