Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation: Introduction
Hyperpigmentation is a type of skin darkening that
occurs when certain skin cells release more pigment (dark color).
Hyperpigmentation can be the symptom of some severe diseases (e.g. Addison's, scleroderma),
and any such symptoms require prompt professional medical investigation.
» Review Causes of Hyperpigmentation:
full list
Causes of Hyperpigmentation:
The following medical conditions are some of the possible
causes of Hyperpigmentation.
There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor
about your symptoms.
See full list of 126
causes of Hyperpigmentation
» Review Causes of Hyperpigmentation:
full list
Causes of Types of Hyperpigmentation:
Review the causes of these more specific types of Hyperpigmentation:
Review causes of types of Hyperpigmentation in more specific categories:
See full list of 10
types for Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation: Symptom Checker
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Hyperpigmentation, as listed in our database.
Visit the Symptom Checker,
to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
Symptom Checker
Symptom Checker
See full list of 2247
Symptom Checker combinations related to Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation Treatments
Review information on Hyperpigmentation Treatments.
Hyperpigmentation: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers
Products, offers and promotion categories available related to Hyperpigmentation:
Causes of General Symptom Types
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
Causes of Similar Symptoms to Hyperpigmentation
Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Hyperpigmentation:
Diagnostic Guides for Hyperpigmentation
Medical Books Excerpts
Read excertps from published book sections related to Hyperpigmentation
from the following published medical books
for more detailed information about Hyperpigmentation.
Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Hyperpigmentation
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Hyperpigmentation: Research Related Doctors & Specialists
Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:
Misdiagnosis and Hyperpigmentation
Psoriasis often undiagnosed cause of skin symptoms in children: Children who suffer
from the skin disorder called psoriasis can often go undiagnosed.
The main problem is that psoriasis is rare in children, and not often
seen by physicians for this reason.
children may receive treatment for fungal skin infections.
See misdiagnosis of psoriasis or symptoms of psoriasis....read more »
Read more about Misdiagnosis and Hyperpigmentation
Diagnostic tests for Hyperpigmentation:
Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Hyperpigmentation. Some of these are listed below :
- Physical examination
- Examine the pigmented skin in area or areas affected and note pigmentation features
- Blood pressure ( postural lowering of blood pressure with Addison's disease)
- Examine for signs of Addison's disease such as dehydration; dull grey-brown pigmentation in the mouth (around the molars), hands and in new scars; loss of body hair
- more tests...»
See full list of 19
diagnostic tests for Hyperpigmentation
Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Hyperpigmentation.
Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing
your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information
you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis.
Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:
- How long have you noticed the increased pigmentation? - to determine if acute or chronic.
- Is the increased pigmentation localized or generalized? - if generalized should consider jaundice (yellow discoloration), chronic liver disease, hemochromatosis ( bronze discoloration) and sun exposure.
- If localized darkness to skin, what areas of the body are affected? - may assist in diagnosis e.g. "sun kissed" pigmentation of the nipples, palmar creases, pressure area and mouth in Addison's disease; isolated dark-brown to light brown patches which tend to remain on one side of the midline especially on the back, buttocks or scalp are characteristic of McCune-Albright syndrome; increased pigmentation of skin on cheeks and forehead called cloasma in pregnancy; hyperpigmented eyelids with atopic dermatitis (eczema); reddish purple flush around the eyes associated with swelling is characteristic of dermatomyositis; blotchy brown pigmentation on one shoulder of teenage boys is characteristic of Becker's nevus; velvety thickened hyperpigmentation in axilla is characteristic of acanthosis nigricans.
- Sun exposure? - exposure to ultraviolet radiation increases the melanin in the skin and causes darkening of skin in exposed areas called tanning.
- Past medical history? - e.g. peripheral vascular disease may suggest gangrene if black dead skin in extremities; hemochromatosis; systemic sclerosis (scleroderma); Addison's disease; neurofibromatosis and phaeochromocytoma are associated with Café au lait patches; Diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease, Addison's disease, hypothyroidism, bowel cancer and obesity may be associated with acanthosis nigricans.
- more questions...»
See Diagnosis Checklist for Hyperpigmentation (17
listings)
Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)
Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse
your condition.
The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Hyperpigmentation) may include:
- Itch? - may suggest eczema, malignant change in a mole.
- Hair growth in localized pigmentation? - may suggest Becker's nevus.
- Symptoms of Addison's disease? - e.g. pigmentation on the nipples, palmar creases, pressure areas and mouth, tiredness, weakness, weight loss, reduced appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, passing urine at night, fainting, abdominal pain, constipation, muscle aches, lack of menstrual periods, muscle aches.
- Symptoms of hemochromatosis? - e.g. bronze pigmentation, fatigue, loss of libido, painful joints, symptoms of diabetes, symptoms of congestive cardiac failure.
- Symptoms of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)? - e.g. plaques of thickened reddened skin that cause darkened skin patches on resolution, symptoms of Raynaud's syndrome, heartburn, acid reflux, pain with swallowing.
- more symptoms...»
See Diagnosis Checklist for Hyperpigmentation (17
listings)
Stories from Users for Hyperpigmentation
Real-life user stories relating to Hyperpigmentation:
Symptom specific forums:
The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards
relate to Hyperpigmentation or relevant symptoms:
Videos for Hyperpigmentation
Increasingly, dermatologists are confronting a disturbing new trend, the practice of cosmetic procedures by untrained people. See the devastating...
Developing psoriasis in childhood or adolescence can be devastating. One of the greatest challenges children with psoriasis face is the anticipation,...
Whenever you go to a hospital or clinic for a major procedure or diagnostic test, one of the many forms you are given to sign is an "informed...
Sexual contact can sometimes result in problems. An unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases may be some of those consequences. But by...
See full list of 4 related videos
Patient Surveys for Hyperpigmentation
Causes of Hyperpigmentation listed in Disease Database:
Other medical conditions listed in the Disease Database as possible
causes of Hyperpigmentation as a symptom include:
See full list of 126
causes of Hyperpigmentation
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Definitions of Hyperpigmentation:
Hyperpigmentation: An excess of pigment in a tissue or part.
Source: Stedman's Medical Spellchecker, © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Excessive pigmentation of the skin, usually as a result of increased epidermal or dermal melanin pigmentation, hypermelanosis. Hyperpigmentation can be localized or generalized. The condition may arise from exposure to light, chemicals or other substances, or from a primary metabolic imbalance.
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Organs affected by Hyperpigmentation:
The list of organs typically affected by Hyperpigmentation may include, but is not limited to:
Detailed list of causes of Hyperpigmentation
The list below shows some of the causes of Hyperpigmentation mentioned in various sources:
See full list of 126
causes of Hyperpigmentation
How Common are these Causes of Hyperpigmentation?
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases,
not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Hyperpigmentation.
Of the 126
causes of Hyperpigmentation that
we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
- 3
causes are "very common" diseases
- 3
causes are "common" diseases
- 1
causes are "uncommon" diseases
- 3
causes are "rare" diseases
- 4
causes are "very rare" diseases
- 116
causes have no prevalence information.
See the analysis of the prevalence of 126
causes of Hyperpigmentation
Conditions listing symptoms: Hyperpigmentation:
The following list of conditions
have 'Hyperpigmentation' or similar
listed as a symptom in our database.
This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete.
Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause
of any symptom.
A
Addison's Disease
... hyperpigmentationAngioma
... birthmarksB
Birthmark
... birthmark, skin markingC
Chemical poisoning - Paraffin wax
... melanodermaChromosome 14 trisomy
... HyperpigmentationChromosome 14 trisomy syndrome
... hyperpigmentationChromosome 14q deletion syndrome
... hyperpigmentationClassic childhood ALD
... melanoderma (increased skin pigmentation)Craniolenticulosutural dysplasia
... hyperpigmentationCutaneomeningospinal angiomatosis
... birth markE
Eczema
... hyperpigmented eyelidsG
Glucocorticoid deficiency, familial
... hyperpigmentationH
Hay-Wells Syndrome
... hyperpigmentationHumeroradioulnar synostosis
... birthmarkI
Incontinentia Pigmenti
... hyperpigmentationM
McCune-Albright Syndrome
... increased pigmentMole
... pigmented areas of skinN
Nevus
... birthmarkP
Polycystic ovary syndrome
... thickened darkened skin patchesPorphyria cutanea tarda, sporadic type
... hyperpigmentationPrimary biliary cirrhosis
... HyperpigmentationS
Scleroderma
... hyperpigmentationSpondylohypoplasia arthrogryposis popliteal pterygium
... birthmarkSpondylohypoplasia, arthrogryposis and popliteal pterygium
... birthmarkV
Vitreoretinochoroidopathy dominant
... HyperpigmentationW
Whyte Murphy Syndrome
... HyperpigmentationWolcott-Rallison syndrome
... Hyperpigmentation
Conditions listing complications: Hyperpigmentation:
The following list of conditions
have 'Hyperpigmentation' or similar
listed as a complication in our database.
The distinction between a symptom and complication is not always clear,
and conditions mentioning this symptom as a complication may also be relevant.
This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete.
Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause
of any symptom.
E
Eczema
... hyperpigmented eyelids
Join in at the forums
Ask or answer a question about symptoms or diseases at one of our
free interactive user forums.
Medical story forums: If you have a medical story then we want to hear it.
See a list of all the medical forums
Causes of Hyperpigmentation Based on Risk Factors
This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Hyperpigmentation based
on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:
Diabetes - history of diabetes or family history of diabetes?
Doctors and specialists: Who should I consult about Hyperpigmentation?
Depending on the seriousness of the onset of Hyperpigmentation, you may want to consult one of the following medical professionals.
Important:In extreme cases, always seek advice from emergency services :
What are the alternative names for Hyperpigmentation:
Hyperpigmented, Pigmentation, Pigmented skin lesion
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Classifications of Hyperpigmentation:
Subtypes of Hyperpigmentation:
Excess skin pigmentation, Persistent brown pigmentation
Medical Conditions associated with Hyperpigmentation:
Skin color changes (1649 causes), Dark skin (95 causes), Skin symptoms (3572 causes), Skin problems (3304 causes)
Symptoms related to Hyperpigmentation:
Dark skin (95 causes), Skin color changes (1649 causes), Redness (492 causes), Blueness (366 causes), Whitening (39 causes), Hypopigmentation (17 causes), Orange skin (11 causes), Mole, Birthmark, Chloasma, Melanoderma, Addison's Disease, Eczema (205 causes), Scleroderma, PCOS, Cigarette smoke
Medical articles on signs and symptoms:
Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:
These general medical articles may be of interest:
See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
News Archives for Hyperpigmentation
Medical news articles related to Hyperpigmentation include:
Source: HealthDay News
Related medical articles from our Disease Center for Hyperpigmentation:
More Ways To Research Medical Signs and Symptoms:
» Next page: Causes of Hyperpigmentation
Rate This Website
What do you think about the features of this website?
Take our user survey and have your say:
Website User Survey
Medical Tools & Articles:
Next articles:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Forums & Message Boards
- Ask or answer a question at the Boards: