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1. Pigmentations of skin
Definition
Pigmentation varies according to racial origin (skin types 1 to 6) and sun exposure.
A)Types of Hyperpigmentation (Increased skin colour)
1. Generalised
2. Localised
B) Hypopigmentation (reduced skin colour).
A Wood's lamp (long-wave ultraviolet radiation) may be used during the
examination of the skin, as pigmentary changes are easier to identify while
exposing the affected skin to UV-A.
Symptoms of Pigmentations of skin
The following are some of the symptoms of Pigmentations of skin:
1. Darker skin patches (Hyperpigmentation)
Acanthosis nigricans
Alkaptonuria
Becker naevus
Berloque dermatitis
Chloasma (melasma)
Confluent & reticulated papillomatosis
Congenital naevi
Dowling-Degos disease
Fixed drug eruption
Erythema ab igne
Erythrasma
Flagellate erythema
Freckles, lentigines
Idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation
Laugier-Hunziker syndrome
Lichen planus pigmentosa
Lipodermatosclerosis
Melanoma
Moles
Mongolian spot
Morphoea (morphea)

2. Naevi of Ota & Ito
Neurofibromatosis
Ochronosis
Pigmented contact cheilitis
Pigmented purpura
Pityriasis versicolor (tinea versicolor)
Poikiloderma of Civatte
Postinflammatory (trauma, burns, skin disease)
Purpura
Tinea nigra Urticaria pigmentosa, mastocytosis
Generalised dark skin
Addison's disease
Drug-induced pigmentation (phenothiazines, silver, chemotherapy)
Haemochromatosis
Ichthyosis
Sézary syndrome
Porphyria cutanea tarda
Systemic sclerosis
Wilson disease
2. Pale or white skin/patches (Hypopigmented)
Albinism
Atrophie blanche
Bleaching creams
Degos disease
Halo moles
Chemical leukoderma
Contact leukoderma
Hypomelanosis of Ito
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis
Leprosy
Lichen sclerosus
Lupus erythematosus
Morphoea
Mycosis fungoides
Piebaldism
Pityriasis alba
Pityriasis versicolor
Poliosis

3. Postinflammatory (trauma, burns, skin disease)
Sarcoidosis
Systemic sclerosis
Tuberous sclerosis (ashleaf spots)
Vitiligo
3.Postinflammatory pigmentation
follows injury (e.g. thermal burn)
Inflammatory disorder (e.g. dermatitis, lichen planus, psoriasis)
It is mostly observed in darker skin types. Postinflammatory pigmentation tends to
become darker and more noticeable with sun exposure
4. Phytophotodermatitis dermatitis due to injury by sunlight and due to contact
with a plant. It is induced by UV (ultra violet) radiation The patient may present in
spring or summer during the acute inflammatory stage, when there are linear
blisters, or a few days to months later because of unsightly and bizarre
pigmentation. The pigmentation is partly epidermal and partly dermal (melanosis).
Responsible plants include parsley, parsnips, celery, carrot, fig, lime and several
species of wild flowers (umbelliferae).
Berloque dermatitis refers to bergapten (5-methoxypsoralens) phototoxicity.
Bergapten is found in older fragrances (current regulations restrict the
concentration of bergapten). The acute inflammatory dermatitis is sometimes
unnoticed and the patient may present with streaky pigmentation on the neck. This
is the same reaction as occurs after PUVA.
Melasma Melasma (chloasma) affects sun-exposed areas. It presents as
symmetrical hyperpigmented macules on cheeks, upper lip, chin, and forehead. It
affects adult women and they are often pregnant or taking some form of hormonal
contraceptive.
Poikiloderma of Civatte Poikiloderma of Civatte is a characteristic weathering
change affecting the lateral neck bilaterally, resulting in reticulate or follicular
erythema, hyperpigmentation and atrophy.

4. Homeopathic treatment for Pigmentations of skin
An SPF30+ sunscreen is essential if the pigmentation affects an exposed site. It is
easier to lighten epidermal melanin than dermal melanin. These agents can be
helpful:
• Hydroquinone
• Topical retinoids
• Topical corticosteroids
• Glycolic acid and other fruit acids
• Azelaic acid
• L-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) v Resurfacing using chemical peels, laser, intense
pulsed light (IPL) or dermabrasion may be effective but unfortunately risks further
damage to the epidermis and formation of more pigment
Homeopathy:
After diagnosis and as per the underlying cause of the pigmentation homeopathy
has role to play in conditions of pigmentation very effectively.
Document Source: http://www.mindheal.org
Mindheal Homeopathy is a leading homeopathic treatment center in Mumbai, India.