Question:medium


Identify the following lesion shown in the image.

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A large hyperpigmented hairy patch on a young man's shoulder.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • Becker nevus
  • Hypopigmented macule
  • Spitz nevus
  • Epidermal nevus
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Read the photograph for its defining triad - a broad brownish patch, an irregular geographic border, and increased terminal hair growing over it, classically on the shoulder of a young man. These together point to one diagnosis.

Step 2: That entity is the Becker nevus, an acquired epidermal nevus also termed Becker melanosis. It is driven by localised overgrowth of epidermis along with extra melanocytes and hair follicles, accounting for both the dark colour and the coarse hairs seen in the image.

Step 3: Eliminate the rest by their look. A hypopigmented macule would be lighter than normal skin, the opposite of this dark patch. A Spitz nevus presents as a solitary pink papule in childhood. An epidermal nevus is a warty, often linear lesion lacking the hairy pigmented plaque. So the picture matches Becker nevus.
\[\boxed{\text{Becker nevus}}\]
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