Question 1

baby with many cafe au lait spots. is it neurofibromatosis?

Accepted Answer

Number and size: Symptoms of nf1 may be seen at birth and may include light brown sports, six or more measuring 5 mm in greatest diameter in prepubertal individuals and over 15 mm in greatest diameter in postpubertal individuals.Two or more growths on the iris of the eye, a tumor of optic nerve, , development of two or more subcut. Nodules, neurofibromas and bone abnormalities of tibia, skull, and spine.

Question 2

help! is it possible to have a lot of cafe au lait spots and not have neurofibromatosis?

Accepted Answer

Yes it is possible: Diagnosis of NF is dependent on a multitude of findings.  There are many requirements including a certain amount of café au lait spots, freckles in the axilla, neurofibromas found on the skin, optic gliomas, bone defects, to name some.  It might not be clear cut in some cases.

Question 3

can tattoos hide my cafe au lait spots?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: It depends.  If you are going to get some ornamental tattoo then it could possibly hide your spots.  However, if you are considering tattooing your spots individually to "fill them in" then, technically yes, it might work.  The trouble will be in getting the tattoo ink to match your skin color.  And when your skin tans (if you tend to tan) the tattoos will not darken.  Hope this helps.

Question 4

can you grow pimples on cafe au lait spots?

Accepted Answer

CAFE AU LAIT PIMPLES: IT'S POSSIBLE TO DEVELOP A PIMPLE, OR PIMPLES, ON  CAFE AU LAIT SPOT(S).

Question 5

what the percentage of person who has cafe au lait spots gets neurofibromatosis?

Accepted Answer

77% if >6 CALMs: A 2009 study in archives of dermatology showed 34/44 (77%) of children under age 3 who had 6 or more cafe au lait macules (calms) were eventually diagnosed with neurofibromatosis 1 (nf1).  The average # of calms for children who were not diagnosed with nf1 was 5, but 12 for those who were diagnosed with nf1.  One or two calms does not mean someone has nf1.

Question 6

my son had 2 seizures and has cafe au lait spots, could this be neurofibromatosis?

Accepted Answer

How Many Spots?: Findings of neurofibromatosis include the following:
six or more light brown “café-au-lait” spots on the skin measuring more than 5 millimeters in diameter ; 
freckling in the area of the armpit or the groin; 
two or more growths on the iris of eye (lisch nodules); 
a tumor on the optic nerve; (abnormal development of the spine (scoliosis), temple bone or tibia (leg bone).

Question 7

how are cafe au lait spots linked to autism or neural disorders in toddlers? they recently were noticeable in our 2 year old

Accepted Answer

Neurofibromatosis: Cafe au lait spots are linked to neurofibromatosis type 1 but not to autism.

Question 8

when do cafe au lait spots stop appearing that indicates neurofibromatosis? i have two on my buttocks that have been confirmed by dermatologist. should i worry? would i have more by now if i had neurofibromatosis? would i know by now if i had it?

Accepted Answer

Ignore them: It is normal for people to have  a few. You would need 8 or more sizable spots by your age to fall under suspicion for that disorder.

Question 9

mother had unilateral acoustic neuroma at 34, i have 4 small cafe au lait spots and my son has 2 small ones. mother doesn't have any. nf1?

Accepted Answer

?Von Recklinghausen': Probably, some hereditary component here, and sounds like incomplete penetrance.  This, however, can be blood tested and confirmed or disconfirmed, so not a bad idea to get a clear fix on risk factors.  However, possibility of future acoustic neuromas in other family members is low statistically.

Question 10

my mom had an acoustic neuroma removed at 35- unilateral. she's 60 now without another one or any other tumors. we both have a few small cafe au lait spots- under 1.5 cm. does this sound like nf2?

Accepted Answer

Unclear, but...: What you have noted would not indicate the diagnosis, since there are specific criteria for the neurofibromatosis diagnosis.  You should consult your local doctor who can do a complete physical examination and history for further assessment..

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Doctor answers about:

Herbal treatment for Fewer than 5 cafe au lait spots

A member asked:

Baby with many cafe au lait spots. is it neurofibromatosis?

A member asked:

Help! is it possible to have a lot of cafe au lait spots and not have neurofibromatosis?

A member asked:

Can tattoos hide my cafe au lait spots?

A member asked:

Can you grow pimples on cafe au lait spots?

A member asked:

What the percentage of person who has cafe au lait spots gets neurofibromatosis?

A member asked:

My son had 2 seizures and has cafe au lait spots, could this be neurofibromatosis?

A member asked:

How are cafe au lait spots linked to autism or neural disorders in toddlers? they recently were noticeable in our 2 year old

A member asked:

When do cafe au lait spots stop appearing that indicates neurofibromatosis? i have two on my buttocks that have been confirmed by dermatologist. should i worry? would i have more by now if i had neurofibromatosis? would i know by now if i had it?

A member asked:

Mother had unilateral acoustic neuroma at 34, i have 4 small cafe au lait spots and my son has 2 small ones. mother doesn't have any. nf1?

A member asked:

My mom had an acoustic neuroma removed at 35- unilateral. she's 60 now without another one or any other tumors. we both have a few small cafe au lait spots- under 1.5 cm. does this sound like nf2?

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