Skin - abnormally dark or light

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Vitiligo, drug induced

Vitiligo on the face

Incontinentia pigmenti on the leg

Hyperpigmentation 2

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation - calf

Hyperpigmentation w/malignancy

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation 2

Overview

Treatment

Skin - abnormally dark or light

Alternative Names:

Hyperpigmentation; Hypopigmentation
Home Care:

Nonprescription depigmenting creams are available for lightening the skin. If you use these creams, follow instructions carefully and don't use one for more than 3 weeks at a time. Darker skin requires greater care when using these preparations. Cosmetics may also help in covering a discoloration.

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Avoid too much sun exposure (use sunscreens or blockers).

Hyperpigmentation may persist even after treatment, so emotional support is recommended.

Call your health care provider if:

A skin discoloration causes significant concern or lifestyle impairment.
There is persistent, unexplained darkening or lightening of the skin.
Any hyperpigmented area (like a mole) changes shape, size, or color (this may be a sign of malignancy).

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting abnormally dark or light skin in detail may include:

When did the discoloration develop?
Did it develop suddenly?
Is it getting worse? How fast?
Describe the change.
Is the skin turning darker or lighter?
Exactly where is the discoloration?
Has it spread to other parts of the body? In what pattern?
What medications are used?
Is there anyone else in your family that has had a similar problem?
Are you often in the sun or exposed to a sun lamp?
What is your diet like?
What other symptoms are also present?
Are there any rashes or skin lesions?

The physical examination may include emphasis on evaluating the skin.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

Adrenocorticotropin hormone stimulation test
Skin biopsy
Thyroid function studies
Examination of the area under a Wood's lamp

Some skin conditions can be treated. Vitiligo may be treated using ultraviolet lamp treatment combined with drug therapy. Pityriasis versicolor is usually treated using anti-fungal ointment. Moles that have changed color are usually surgically removed and a biopsy is taken.

Some pigment changes spontaneously return to normal skin color, unless there is scarring of the skin.