Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation
Classification and external resources
ICD-10	L81.0-L81.4
ICD-9	709.0
DiseasesDB	24638
MeSH	D017495

In dermatology, hyperpigmentation is the darkening of an area of skin or nails caused by increased melanin.

Causes

Hyperpigmentation may be caused by sun damage, inflammation, or other skin injuries, including those related to acne vulgaris.^[1] People with darker Asian, Mediterranean or African skin tones are also more prone to hyperpigmentation, especially if they have excess sun exposure.

Many forms of hyperpigmentation are caused by an excess production of melanin. Hyperpigmentation can be diffuse or focal, affecting such areas as the face and the back of the hands. Melanin is produced by melanocytes at the lower layer of the epidermis. Melanin is a class of pigment responsible for producing color in the body in places such as the eyes, skin, and hair. As the body ages, melanocyte distribution becomes less diffuse and its regulation less controlled by the body. UV light stimulates melanocyte activity, and where concentrations of the cells are denser than surrounding areas, hyperpigmentation is effected.^[2] Can also be caused by using skin lightening lotions.

Hyperpigmentation is associated with a number of diseases or conditions, including:

• Addison's disease and other sources of adrenal insufficiency, in which hormones that stimulate melanin synthesis, such as melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), are frequently elevated.
• Cushing's disease or other excessive adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production, because MSH production is a byproduct of ACTH synthesis from proopiomelanocortin (POMC).
• Acanthosis nigricans – hyperpigmentation of intertriginous areas associated with insulin resistance.
• Melasma, also known as chloasma – patchy hyperpigmentation often found in pregnant women.
• Linea nigra – a hyperpigmented line found on the abdomen during pregnancy.
• Peutz-Jeghers syndrome – an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by hyperpigmented macules on the lips and oral mucosa and gastrointestinal polyps.
• Exposure to certain chemicals such as salicylic acid, bleomycin, and cisplatin.
• Smoker's melanosis
• Celiac disease
• Cronkite-Canada syndrome
• Porphyria
• Tinea fungal infections such as ringworm
• Haemochromatosis - a common but debilitating genetic disorder characterized by the chronic accumulation of iron in the body.
• Mercury poisoning - particularly cases of cutaneous exposure resulting from the topical application of mercurial ointments or skin-whitening creams.
• Aromatase deficiency
• Nelson's syndrome

Hyperpigmentation can sometimes be induced by dermatological laser procedures.

Treatment

Treatment of hyperpigmentation may include hydroquinone, kojic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, azelaic acid, ascorbic acid, tretinoin (Retinol), topical glucocorticoids, and licorice extract.

See also

• Hypopigmentation
• List of cutaneous conditions

References

1. ^ "Hyperpigmentation". Dermatalogic Disease Database. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/hyperpigmentation.html. Retrieved 2006-03-08. 
2. ^ Hyperpigmentation (Age Spots) Hyperpigmentation, Chloasma & Melasma, KAVI.

External links

Hyperpigmentation Treatment

This medical sign article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Dermatologic terminology Medical signs Medical sign stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР The Frythe Grey River, New Zealand Look at other dictionaries: Hyperpigmentation — Dark spots on the skin. Hyperpigmentation is primarily a cosmetic concern that can be covered with make up, although in some cases (such as the café au lait spots associated with neurofibromatosis) it can be a sign of an underlying medical… …   Medical dictionary hyperpigmentation — n. * * * …   Universalium hyperpigmentation — noun The darkening of an area of skin or nails, caused by increased melanin …   Wiktionary hyperpigmentation — n. excessive pigmentation of the skin, abnormal darkening of the skin, dark spots on the skin …   English contemporary dictionary hyperpigmentation — hy per•pig men•ta′tion n …   From formal English to slang hyperpigmentation — noun unusual darkening of the skin • Ant: ↑hypopigmentation • Hypernyms: ↑physical condition, ↑physiological state, ↑physiological condition • Hyponyms: ↑tan, ↑sun …   Useful english dictionary photodistributed hyperpigmentation — hyperpigmentation of sun exposed areas of photosensitized skin …   Medical dictionary reticular hyperpigmentation — reticulate hyperpigmentation, reticulated hyperpigmentation hyperpigmentation in a netlike pattern over the skin; called also reticular, reticulate, or reticulated pigmentation …   Medical dictionary Chemotherapy-induced hyperpigmentation — Classification and external resources ICD 10 Y43.1 Y43.3 ICD 9 …   Wikipedia post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — n. darkening of the skin that comes with inflammation inducing …   English contemporary dictionary 18+ © Academic, 2000-2025 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”