Skin - Abnormally Dark or Light
Alternate Names : Hyperpigmentation, Hypopigmentation
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What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting abnormally dark or light skin in detail may include:
- time pattern
- When did the discoloration develop?
- Did it develop suddenly?
- Is it getting worse? How fast?
- quality
- Describe the change.
- Is the skin turning darker or lighter?
- location
- Exactly where is the discoloration?
- Has it spread to other parts of the body? In what pattern?
- aggravating factors
- What medications are used?
- Is there anyone else in your family that has had a similar problem?
- Are you often in the sun or exposed to a sun lamp?
- What is your diet like?
- other
The physical examination may include emphasis on evaluating the skin.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:
Some skin conditions can be treated. Vitiligo may be treated using ultraviolet lamp treatment combined with drug therapy. Pityriasis versicolor is usually treated using anti-fungal ointment. Moles that have changed color are usually surgically removed and a biopsy is taken.
Some pigment changes spontaneously return to normal skin color (unless there is scarring of the skin).
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