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Hypopigmentation

Area of skin becoming lighter than the baseline skin color

Field	Value
name	Hypopigmentation
image	Vitiligo03.jpg
caption	Hypopigmentation in vitiligo

Hypopigmentation is characterized specifically as an area of skin becoming lighter than the baseline skin color, but not completely devoid of pigment. This is not to be confused with depigmentation, which is characterized as the absence of all pigment. It is caused by melanocyte or melanin depletion, or a decrease in the amino acid tyrosine, which is used by melanocytes to make melanin. Some common genetic causes include mutations in the tyrosinase gene or OCA2 gene. As melanin pigments tend to be in the skin, eye, and hair, these are the commonly affected areas in those with hypopigmentation.

Hypopigmentation is common and approximately one in twenty have at least one hypopigmented macule. Hypopigmentation can be upsetting to some, especially those with darker skin whose hypopigmentation marks are seen more visibly. Most causes of hypopigmentation are not serious and can be easily treated.

Presentation

Associated conditions

It is seen in:

Albinism
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis
Leprosy
Leucism
Phenylketonuria
Pityriasis alba
Vitiligo
Angelman syndrome
Tinea versicolor
Yaws
An uncommon adverse effect of imatinib therapy
Injections of high concentrations of corticosteroids (transient)

Diagnosis

Areas of lighter pigmentation can be indications of hypopigmentation. Biopsies and genetic information are also used to diagnose.

Treatments

Often, hypopigmentation can be brought on by laser treatments; however, the hypopigmentation can be treated with other lasers or light sources. Micropigmentation can also be used to obtain a more normal appearance of the hypopigmentated skin.

Treatment for hypopigmentation depends on the initial cause of the discoloration.

Piebaldism	None; occasionally transplants.

References

Ferrier, Denise R.. (2017). "Biochemistry".
(2014). "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine". McGraw-Hill.
Cross, Harold. "The Big Picture: Medical Biochemistry Eds". McGraw-Hill.
(2017-01-12). "An approach to hypopigmentation". BMJ.
(2018). "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment". McGraw-Hill.
(14 July 2008). "Reversal of Laser-Induced Hypopigmentation with a Narrow-Band UV-B Light Source in a Patient with Skin Type VI". Dermatologic Surgery.
Haney, Beth. (September 21, 2019). "Aesthetic Procedures: Nurse Practitioner's Guide to Cosmetic Dermatology". Springer International Publishing.
(2012). "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine.". McGraw-Hill.

Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

dermatologic-terminology disturbances-of-human-pigmentation

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