Which disease condition is found more in fair skinned patients than in patients with more pigmentation?

Introduction

Pigmentation of the skin normally varies according to racial origin (see Fitzpatrick phototypes) and the amount of sun exposure. Pigmentation disorders are often more troublesome in skin of colour.

The melanocytes (pigment cells) are located at the base of the epidermis and produce the protein melanin. Melanin is carried by keratinocytes to the skin surface. The melanocytes of dark-skinned people produce more melanin than those of people with light skin. More melanin is produced when the skin is injured, for example following exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The melanisation process in dark skin is protective against sun damage, but melanisation in white skin (for example after sunburn) is much less protective.

Hormonal effects of oestrogen during pregnancy or due to medication can cause pigmentation of nipples, vulva and abdomen (linea nigra).

Some skin diseases and conditions result in generalised or localised hyperpigmentation (increased skin colour, hypermelanosis), hypopigmentation (reduced skin colour, hypomelanosis), or depigmentation (absent skin colour, leukoderma).

A Wood lamp may be used to assess pigmentation during the examination of the skin, as pigmentary changes are often easier to identify while exposing the affected skin to long-wavelength ultraviolet rays (UVA).

Generalised hyperpigmentation

Generalised hyperpigmentation or hypermelanosis may rarely arise from excessive circulating melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) when it often has a bronze hue. It occurs:

• In 95% of patients with Addison disease when it is more prominent on pressure areas, in skin folds, on scars, and within the mouth
• In 90% of patients with haemochromatosis, when it is more prominent on the genitals, in skin folds, and on sun-exposed sites
• Rarely in metastatic melanoma: diffuse melanosis cutis
• In people treated with afamelanotide.

A differential diagnosis is carotenoderma, in which the skin colour takes on a yellow-orange hue due to ingestion of coloured fruit and vegetables.

Localised hyperpigmentation

Localised pigmentation may be due to melanin, haemosiderin, or externally-derived pigment.

If dark patches are observed, the main diagnoses to consider are:

• Benign pigmented skin lesions, such as melanocytic naevi (moles), seborrhoeic keratoses,  and lentigines
• Skin cancers, such as melanoma and pigmented basal cell carcinoma
• Post-inflammatory pigmentation due to prior injury, current or prior inflammatory skin disease such as eczema, especially in dark-skinned individuals, or fixed drug eruption
• Current or previous superficial skin infection, particularly pityriasis versicolor and erythrasma
• Chronic pigmentary disorders, particularly melasma and acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation
• Photocontact dermatitis to certain plants
• Thickened skin eg, acanthosis nigricans or ichthyosis
• Pigmented purpura due to bleeding into the skin, such as capillaritis or senile purpura
• Intentional or accidental tattoo.

What is the treatment of hyperpigmentation?

If pigmentation due to melanin affects an exposed site, daily application of broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen is important to minimise darkening caused by UVR. This is not effective for melanin located in the dermis or to reduce pigmentation caused by carotene, drugs, or tattoos.

Cosmetic camouflage can be used.

The following agents can be used to lighten epidermal melanosis alone or, more effectively, in combination:

• Hydroquinone
• Topical retinoid
• Topical corticosteroid
• Glycolic acid and other fruit acids
• Azelaic acid
• L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

Resurfacing using chemical peels, laser (especially picosecond laser), intense pulsed light (IPL) or dermabrasion may be effective but unfortunately risks further damage to the epidermis and formation of more pigment. Cautious cryotherapy to small areas of postinflammatory pigmentation can be effective but risks causing permanent hypopigmentation.

Cosmetic camouflage using make-up is sometimes the best advice.

Generalised hypopigmentation

Generalised reduction in melanin pigmentation at birth (congenital) may be racial in origin or due to albinism. Pituitary failure resulting in lack of MSH rarely results in acquired generalised hypomelanosis.

Pallor is much more frequently due to blood loss or anaemia.

Localised hypopigmentation

Localised hypopigmentation may be due to vascular changes or partial loss of melanin. It can be congenital or acquired.

If single or multiple pale patches are observed, diagnoses to consider include:

• Pityriasis alba
• Pityriasis versicolor
• Progressive macular hypomelanosis
• Postinflammatory hypopigmentation
• Syphilitic leukoderma
• Leprosy
• Vascular changes such as Bier spots and naevus anaemicus.

Leukoderma

White depigmented patches (leukoderma) may be due to: 

• Halo naevus
• Vitiligo
• Congenital piebaldism and Waardenburg syndrome (with deafness)
• Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis
• Lichen sclerosus, morphoea, systemic sclerosis
• Contact leukoderma
• Scarring.

What is the treatment of hypopigmentation?

Hypopigmentation due to inflammatory skin disorders and infections usually resolves by itself over weeks to months once the underlying disorder has been cleared. There is no effective treatment for achromia due to scarring. The response of vitiligo to therapy is highly variable.