Download A4Medicine Mobile App
Empower Your RCGP AKT Journey: Master the MCQs with Us! 🚀
The table below serves as an essential guide for clinicians evaluating cases of skin hyperpigmentation. It outlines various conditions that may present as hyperpigmentation, describes their key clinical features, and suggests appropriate diagnostic approaches. Importantly, the table also incorporates certain conditions that are often overlooked, such as Stasis Dermatitis and Dermatitis Neglecta, as well as examples of drugs that can induce hyperpigmentation.
| Category | Specific Causes | Typical Presentation and Features |
|---|---|---|
| Endocrine Disorders | Addison's Disease | Generalized hyperpigmentation, especially in sun-exposed areas, and mucous membranes. |
| Cushing's Syndrome | Diffuse hyperpigmentation, often with striae, moon face, and central obesity. | |
| Hyperthyroidism | Diffuse or localized hyperpigmentation, often with increased sweating and weight loss. | |
| Inflammatory Conditions | Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) | Darkened patches following skin injury or inflammation (e.g., acne, eczema, psoriasis). |
| Lichen Planus | Purple, itchy, flat-topped papules, often leaving hyperpigmented lesions after healing. | |
| Erythema Multiforme | Target lesions with dark centers, often post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after resolution. | |
| Drug-induced | Certain Medications (e.g., minocycline, antimalarials) | Generalized or localized hyperpigmentation, often with a blue-gray hue, linked to specific drug history. |
| Metabolic Disorders | Hemochromatosis | Generalized bronzing of the skin, especially on sun-exposed areas, often with joint pain and fatigue. |
| Porphyria Cutanea Tarda | Blistering lesions on sun-exposed areas, leading to hyperpigmentation,... |
Try our Free Plan to get the full article.
