A Case of Graphite Foreign Body Misdiagnosed as Blue Nevus

ABSTRACT

The lead of a pencil is composed of graphite and clay. Although considered as biologically inert for a long time, the lead of a pencil can result in undesirable local pain, pigmentation, abscess formation and graphite foreign body reaction. Therefore, all penetrating injuries caused by a pencil should be carefully assessed and treated in order to remove all pieces of lead from the wound by specialized paramedics or medical doctors. We should be aware that graphite granules embedded in the skin may give rise to clinically alarming delayed reactions. Here we present a 19-year-old woman with a foreign body, the lead of a pencil, misdiagnosed as a blue nevus.