Pigmentation Disorders Flashcards
Velvety thickening and hyperpigmentation of the skin - skin appears
“dirty”
As skin thickens, appears velvety
Chiefly in the axilla and other body folds
Skin lines accentuated, surface becomes rugose (wrinkled), mamillated
Acanthosis Nigricans
What are the etiologies of Acanthosis Nigricans?
Hereditary
Obesity
Endocrine disorders (see in diabetes)
Drug administration
Malignancy
Acquired light or dark brown hyperpigmentation that occurs in the sun
exposed areas (Most often on the face)
Also known as “Chloasma” or the “mask of pregnancy”
Results from exposure to sunlight
Females more common than males (90% are females)
Melasma
What are some conditions melasma is associated with?
pregnancy
oral contraceptive hormones
certain medications
some cases idiopathic
Completely macular hyperpigmentation of the face
Light or dark brown, sometimes even black
Color is typically uniform but may be splotchy
Most often symmetric
Lesions have serrated, irregular, and geographic borders
Melasma
What are the treatment options for melasma?
Watchful waiting - May disappear spontaneously over a period of months after delivery or after cessation of contraceptive hormones
Medications:
Hydroquinone
Azelaic acid 20%
Tretinoin
Glycolic acid
Topical steroids
Destruction of selected melanocytes with autoimmune, genetic and environmental precipitating factors
Symmetric patterns of depigmented macules commonly on hands, face, skin folds, axillae, genitalia
Characterized clinically by development of totally white macules, microscopically by complete absence of melanocytes
Vitiligo
What are some conditions vitiligo is associated with?
systemic autoimmune
endocrine disease: Thyroid disease, Diabetes mellitus, Addison’s disease
Pernicious anemia
What are some treatment options for patients with vitiligo?
Topical glucocorticoids
Topical photochemotherapy (Topical 8-methoxypsoralen and UVA)
Systemic photochemotherapy
