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Skin color - patchy

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Acanthosis nigricans - close-up
Acanthosis nigricans - close-up
Acanthosis nigricans on the hand
Acanthosis nigricans on the hand
Neurofibromatosis, giant cafe-au-lait spot
Neurofibromatosis, giant cafe-au-lait spot
Vitiligo, drug induced
Vitiligo, drug induced
Vitiligo on the face
Vitiligo on the face
Cutis marmorata on the leg
Cutis marmorata on the leg
Halo nevus
Halo nevus

Alternative Names    Return to top

Dyschromia; Mottling

Definition    Return to top

Patchy skin color refers to areas of irregular skin coloring. Mottling or mottled skin refers specifically to blood vessel changes in the skin which cause a patchy appearance.

Considerations    Return to top

Irregular or patchy discoloration of the skin can be caused by:

Mottling or mottled skin refers specifically to blood vessel changes in the skin.

Melanin may be affected by genetics, heat, injury, solar or ionizing radiation, heavy metals, and other factors. Pigment production and distribution in the body is control in part by hormones. Changes in any of these factors can increase or decrease pigment production.

Exposure to sun or ultraviolet (UV) light, especially after sensitization with a medicine called psoralens, may increase pigmentation. This may increase the risk for skin cancer.

Skin color changes can be a single disorder, or they may result from other medical conditions or disorders.

Your degree of skin pigmentation determines, to some extent, the skin diseases to which you may be susceptible. For example, lighter-skinned people are more sensitive to sun exposure and damage, which raises the risk for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

However, excessive sun exposure is a risk factor even for darker-skinned people.

Generally, pigment changes are cosmetic and do not affect physical health. However, psychological stress can occur because of pigment changes. Some pigment changes may indicate a risk for other disorders.

Causes    Return to top

Home Care    Return to top

Normal skin color may return on its own in some cases.

Lotions that bleach or lighten the skin, such as hydroquinone, may be used to reduce hyperpigmented skin or to even the skin tone where hypopigmented areas are large or very noticeable.

Selsun blue or tolnaftate (Tinactin) lotion can help in treating tinea versicolor. Apply as directed to the affected area daily until the lesions disappear. Unfortunately, tinea versicolor often returns no matter what type of treatment is used.

Cosmetics or skin dyes may be used to disguise skin color changes. Makeup can help hide mottled skin but will not cure the underlying problem.

Avoid excessive sun exposure and use sun block. Hypopigmented skin sunburns easily, and hyperpigmented skin may get even darker.

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Contact your doctor if you have any persistent skin coloring changes without a known cause.

Also call if you you notice a new mole or other growth, or if an existing one has changed color, size, or appearance.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit    Return to top

The doctor will carefully examine the skin and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, such as:

Tests that may be done include:

Update Date: 7/17/2007

Updated by: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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