Other names: increased skin pigmentation

Hyperpigmentation means an increased pigment production – dye – cells in the skin. Pigment in the skin can be a double origin. Melanin is produced by specialized cells in the skin and is brownish-black. We all know him very well when tanning. The second pigment is called hemosiderin, which derives from hemoglobin containing iron. This pigment has a color rezavohnědou.

Hyperpigmentation can be of different shape and extent of the dots over flecks, speckles to larger areas.

Hemosiderin located in hyperpigmetations chronic venous insufficiency mainly above the ankles as a symptom of the stage, which over time leads to bércovému ulcer. There may also be an admixture of melanin, the pigment so sometimes rather darker. Hemosider pigmentation can also be found in the so-called. Purpura, a disease caused by increased bleeding with symptoms of the skin such as minor bruises, blemishes and the like. Their color varies as accurately as is the case with classical bruises, plus then, however, can long persist rusty pigmentation from the residual hemosiderin. Rusty hyperpigmentation also remain for some time after they have suffered measles, but they are now due to vaccination coverage of the population are rare.

Melanin could be found in freckles (= nevi), in hyperpigmentation in healing psoriasis and rashes after various medications. Freckles can be either congenital – “birthmarks” spots cafe au lait and various other nevi – or gained due to solar radiation and the like. From each nevus can develop skin cancer, and therefore care should be taken if the freckle lately somehow changed – not increase, not ooze, changed color like. If you do, always seek a dermatologist! Removal of freckles is a complex exercise and it is always safer than a freckle wear away. Most freckles But during life changed and so does not cause any trouble.

Other diseases of hyperpigmentation is Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, which is characterized point pigmentation lips current disability intestine. It is very rare and the child is born with him, is also hereditary. Likewise Bloch-Sulzberger syndrome with rash and then pigmentation on the legs of girls.

Choasma are more circumscribed, often symmetrical pigmentation on the face in pregnant women.This may be a hormonal contraceptives and various hormonal disorders. Sometimes arise even after the cosmetics and medicines.

Hyperpigmentation can be a symptom of other diseases that are primarily located in other organs.These are Addison’s disease (adrenal hormone-dependent disease, pigmentation are mainly in palm trenches, in the scars and buccal mucosa) and pellagra (deficiency of vitamin B3).

Therapy

The treatment of hyperpigmentation is unfortunately often unsatisfactory. It always depends on their specific origins. Use phenol, hydrogen peroxide, tretinoin, azelaic acid, and other external drugs. An important condition is to protect from sun exposure! Some nevi are removed by cutting when the garment site irritation, or fear of progression to a malignant tumor or for cosmetic reasons.