Dysplastic Nevus vs Spitz Nevus

How to tell the difference — key features compared side by side.

Feature
Dysplastic Nevus
Spitz Nevus
Category
Pre-cancerous
Benign
Key feature
Atypical moles with irregular features. The single strongest visual risk marker for melanoma.
A dome-shaped pink or brown mole common in children. Can closely resemble melanoma under the microscope - often excised for certainty.
Risk factors
Family history of dysplastic nevi or melanoma; Fair skin (Fitzpatrick I-II); Sun exposure and sunburns
Childhood and adolescence (peak incidence); Can occur at any age; No established environmental risk factors
Action needed
Any atypical mole actively changing in size, shape, or color
A rapidly growing, dome-shaped pink or reddish mole in a child

Dysplastic Nevus

A dysplastic nevus is a mole displaying irregular features: larger than 5mm, irregular borders, uneven pigmentation, and often a flat component surrounding a raised center (the fried egg appearance).

Read full guide →

Spitz Nevus

Spitz nevus is a distinctive type of benign melanocytic mole that most commonly occurs in children and teenagers, though it can appear at any age. It typically presents as a dome-shaped, well-defined, pink, red, or brown papule that grows relatively quickly to a size of 5-10mm.

Read full guide →

Does yours look more like dysplastic nevus?

Quick self-check

Does this look like dysplastic nevus? Answer 2 questions.

Is the mole larger than 5mm (pencil eraser size)?

Does it look distinctly different from your other moles?

Still not sure?

Our full ABCDE checker evaluates 5 clinical criteria dermatologists use.

Full ABCDE check →