Hyperpigmentation
| Classification according to ICD-10 | |
|---|---|
| L81.0 | post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation |
| L81.1 | Chloasma (melasma) |
| ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019) | |
In medicine , hyperpigmentation or chloasma or melasma ( Greek χλόασμα , chlóasma or μέλασμα , mélasma ) generally refers to an excessive deposition of melanin in the skin . Parts of the skin or the entire surface of the skin can be affected. Hyperpigmentation is one of the secondary phenomena that occur in skin diseases (so-called secondary efflorescence ).
With regard to the causes, a distinction must be made as to whether the clinical picture arises from endogenous pigments , i.e. pigments formed in one's own organism, or exogenous pigments , i.e. pigments supplied from outside . The endogenous pigments include melanin itself, hemosiderin , various bile pigments or carotene . A typical example of an exogenous pigment is carbon , which is found in many tattoo inks.
A narrower definition of hyperpigmentation is the brown coloration of the skin caused by activation of the melanocytes . These are mainly activated by sunlight, but also by various messenger substances such as prostaglandins or interleukin-1 in the context of local inflammation . This form of hyperpigmentation is also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation .
The so-called pregnancy mask is based on hormones. Not all women are affected. Pregnancy hormones are also responsible for the linea nigra , a dark line that runs from the navel to the pubic bone. Both the stretch mask and the stretch marks can gradually fade after delivery. Sunlight makes these skin pigments even darker. The selectively increased melanin can production by the drug Rucinol be specifically interrupted.
The opposite of hyperpigmentation is called hypopigmentation , i. H. the spots are light or even white in this case.
See also
Sources and literature
- Peter Altmeyer, Volker Paech: Encyclopedia Dermatology, Allergology, Environmental Medicine. = Dermatology, allergology, environmental medicine. 2 volumes. 2nd, completely revised edition. Springer Medicine, Berlin et al. 2011, ISBN 978-3-540-89542-8 .
