PIGMENTARY DISORDERS

Pigment is a natural colour of the skin produced by melanocytes in the body, that distribute melanin. This is due to a number of reasons from hereditary DNA, to different types of malfunctions in the body and over explosion to the sun, causing damage by absorbing scattering UV radiation this causes pigmentary disorders to form.

 
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CHLOASMA/MELASMA

A skin condition where areas of the skin become darker than the rest of the surrounding skin. Melasma typically occurs on the face, particularly the cheeks, forehead and upper lip. The patches of skin can be from tan or deep brown. This condition is common in females known as the mask of pregnancy.

Common Causes of Melasma

  • Hormone replacement therapy (HTR)

  • Oral contraceptives

  • Pregnancy

  • Too much sun exposure

  • Photo sensitive medication

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VIRTILIGO

Vitiligo is a disorder that causes loss of colour in blotches. These areas of the devoid of pigment caused by the basil layer of the epidermis that no longer manufacture melanin. Vitiligo affects people of all skin types and age but it is more noticeable in people with darker skin.

SYMPTOMS

  • Discolouration

  • Patchy loss of skin colour

  • Premature whitening or greying of hair, eyelashes or beard

  • Loss of colour of tissues that are inside your mouth or nose

  • Loss or change in colour of the inner layer of the eyeballs

CAUSES

  • Immune system disorder that attacks melanocytes in the skin

  • Hereditary

  • Trigger event such as exposure to industrial chemicals

POST INFLAMATORY HYPERPIGMENTATION

Post inflammatory pigmentation is the skin discoloration that occurs after an inflammatory condition is healed. This darkening develops when the inflammation triggers cells in the skin known as melanocytes to produce excess melanin which is the pigment that give skin its natural colour. The excess melanin darkens the inflamed area and persists even after the skin lesions heals.

CAUSES OF POST INFLAMMATORY PIGMENTATION

Conditions that can cause post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) includes

INFLAMMATORY SKIN CONDITIONS LIKE:

  • Acne

  • Atopic dermatitis

  • Psoriasis

  • Linchen planus

  • Pseudofollicultis barbae

  • Cutaneous T cell lymphoma

  • Systemic lupus erythematous

INFECTIOUS SKIN CONDITIONS LIKE:

  • Impetigo

  • Viral exanthems

TRAUMA TO THE SKIN FROM:

  • Wounds

  • Burns

ALLERGIC REACTION FROM:

  • Contact dermatitis

  • Insect stings

EXPOSURE TO ULTRA VIOLET CAUSING:

  • Sun damage

  • Phototoxicity

SYMPTOMS OF POST INFLAMMATORY HYPERPIGMENTATION

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) include hyper-pigmented macules(dark spots) and patches. These spots vary in colour depending on their location in the skin. Epidermal hypermelanosis (darkening in the epidermis) and they take months to years to clear. Those in the dermis (dermal hypermelanosis) range in colour from blue to grey and may be permanent or take years to resolve. Race also affects (PIH) since Caucasians tends to develop pink or red marks. Persons with darker skin develop purplish, brown and black discolourations.

RISK FACTORS FOR POST INFLAMMATORY HYPERPIGMENTATION

Though it can occur in all skin types, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) occurs more frequently and more severely in people with skin type IV and VI. These are people with the darker skin tones. PIH frequently occurs in people with acne and especially acne excoriee since picking and popping pimples increase the chances of developing it.