Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Afp 20171215 P 797
Afp 20171215 P 797
Pigmentation disorders are commonly diagnosed, evaluated, and treated in primary care practices. Typical hyperpig-
mentation disorders include postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, solar lentigines, ephelides (freckles),
and café au lait macules. These conditions are generally benign but can be distressing to patients. Appropriate derma-
tologic history, skin examination, and skin biopsy, when appropriate, can help exclude melanoma and its precursors.
In addition to addressing the underlying condition, hyperpigmentation is treated with topical agents, chemical peels,
cryotherapy, light or laser therapy, or a combination of these methods. Café au lait macules are treated with surgical
excision or laser therapy if treatment is desired. Hypopigmentation disorders include vitiligo, pityriasis alba, tinea
versicolor, and postinflammatory hypopigmentation. Treatment of vitiligo depends on the distribution and extent of
skin involvement, and includes topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, ultraviolet A therapy (with or with-
out psoralens), narrowband ultraviolet B therapy, and cosmetic coverage. Patients with stable, self-limited vitiligo
may be candidates for surgical grafting techniques, whereas those with extensive disease may be candidates for depig-
mentation therapy to make skin tone appear more even. Other hypopigmentation disorders may improve or resolve
with treatment of the underlying condition. (Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(12):797-804. Copyright © 2017 American
Academy of Family Physicians.)
P
CME This clinical content igmentation disorders of the skin novel treatments, and current evidence sup-
conforms to AAFP criteria are commonly encountered in pri- porting their use. Table 1 summarizes cur-
for continuing medical
education (CME). See mary care practice. Although they rent treatments.1
CME Quiz on page 772. are often benign and easily distin-
Author disclosure: No rel- guishable based on appearance and location, Skin Types
evant financial affiliations. it may be necessary to perform a skin biopsy The Fitzpatrick scale, which ranges from
Patient information: to exclude melanoma and its precursors. skin types I to VI, is used to define and
▲
A handout on this topic is Some disorders result in cosmetic or psycho- estimate skin response to ultraviolet expo-
available at https://family
doctor.org/condition/
logical concerns to the patient, necessitating sure (Table 21). Certain skin pigmentation
melasma/. evaluation and treatment. Proper diagnosis disorders are more common in particu-
allows the physician to facilitate appropriate lar skin phenotypes (e.g., solar lentigines
skin treatment, provide reassurance, or ini- or ephelides in lighter skin [types I to III],
tiate appropriate referral. melasma in darker skin [types IV to VI]).1
Hyperpigmentation is the result of excess Skin types can be classified using online
melanin production, distribution, or trans- tools, such as the one at http://www.
port. Common etiologies include postin- skincancer.org/prevention/are-you-at-risk/
flammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, fitzpatrick-skin-quiz.
solar lentigines, ephelides, and café au lait
macules. Hypopigmentation results from Hyperpigmentation Disorders
a reduction of melanocytes or an inability POSTINFLAMMATORY HYPERPIGMENTATION
of the melanocytes to produce melanin or Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is a
properly transport melanosomes. Vitiligo, common consequence of trauma or inflam-
pityriasis alba, tinea versicolor, and postin- mation primarily in darker skin types (III to
flammatory effect are common causes of VI). Lesions can persist for months or years,
pigment loss. This article discusses clini- and can be psychologically devastating to
cal features of each condition, updated and some patients.
December
Downloaded15, 2017
from ◆ Volume 96, Number 12
the American www.aafp.org/afp
Family Physician website at www.aafp.org/afp. American Academy of Family
Copyright © 2017 American Family
Physicians. For thePhysician 797
private, noncom-
mercial use of one individual user of the website. All other rights reserved. Contact copyrights@aafp.org for copyright questions and/or permission requests.
Pigmentation Disorders
Table 1. Management of Pigmentation Disorders
Hyperpigmentation disorders
Postinflammatory Irregular, darkly Previous sites Trauma, inflammation Triple combination therapy,†
hyperpigmentation pigmented macules/ of injury or hydroquinone, retinoids,
patches inflammation azelaic acid (Finacea),
chemical peels, laser therapy
Melasma Pigmented, well-defined Face (centrofacial Pregnancy, oral Triple combination therapy,†
macules; light brown, 63%, malar 21%, contraceptives, chemical peels, light or laser
brown, or gray mandibular 16%) phenytoin (Dilantin), therapy, sunscreen
or forearms idiopathic
Solar lentigines 1- to 3-cm well- Face, hands, Acute or chronic Triple combination therapy†
circumscribed macules; forearms, chest, ultraviolet exposure with or without cryotherapy,
light yellow to dark back, shins hydroquinone, retinoids,
brown, variegated chemical peels, cryotherapy,
intense pulsed light, laser
therapy
Ephelides 1- to 2-mm sharply Face, neck, chest, Childhood onset after Fades in winter months
defined macules, red arms, legs sun exposure in so treatment may be
or tan to light brown susceptible individuals unnecessary; cryotherapy,
(skin types I or II) hydroquinone, azelaic acid,
chemical peels, laser therapy
Café au lait macules 1- to 20-cm tan to Most commonly Increased melanin in Laser therapy, surgical excision
brown macules, trunk but may melanocytes/basal
epidermal, present at appear anywhere keratinocytes
birth or early childhood
Hypopigmentation disorders
Vitiligo Hypopigmented macules Face, hands, Unknown, possibly High-potency topical
and patches; sharply forearms, neck, immune-mediated corticosteroids (class II and III),
defined; 5 to 50 mm; genitalia, body topical calcineurin inhibitors,
coalescent folds, periorificial; narrowband ultraviolet B,
lip-tip pattern psoralen and ultraviolet A,
systemic corticosteroids
Pityriasis alba Hypopigmented, Face, head, neck, Possible association Sunscreen, topical
irregular patches; fine forearms with atopic dermatitis corticosteroids, tacrolimus
scale; itchy aggravated by sunlight (Protopic) ointment
exposure
Tinea versicolor Hypopigmented or Neck, chest, Malassezia spp. infection Topical antifungals, topical
pink plaques; may be back, abdomen, adapalene (Differin) gel
hyperpigmented; fine proximal
scale extremities
Postinflammatory Loss of pigment Varies Tinea versicolor, atopic Treatment of underlying
hypopigmentation (variable), macules, dermatitis, pityriasis condition when applicable
patches alba, psoriasis,
guttate parapsoriasis,
dermabrasion, chemical
peels, intralesional
corticosteroid use
798 American Family Physician www.aafp.org/afp Volume 96, Number 12 ◆ December 15, 2017
Pigmentation Disorders
Skin
type Skin/hair/eye color Characteristics
MELASMA
December 15, 2017 ◆ Volume 96, Number 12 www.aafp.org/afp American Family Physician 799
Pigmentation Disorders
800 American Family Physician www.aafp.org/afp Volume 96, Number 12 ◆ December 15, 2017
Pigmentation Disorders
December 15, 2017 ◆ Volume 96, Number 12 www.aafp.org/afp American Family Physician 801
Pigmentation Disorders
802 American Family Physician www.aafp.org/afp Volume 96, Number 12 ◆ December 15, 2017
Pigmentation Disorders
Evidence
Clinical recommendation rating References
Triple combination therapy (fluocinolone 0.01%/hydroquinone 4%/tretinoin 0.05% [Tri-luma]) is the most C 1, 7
effective agent for treatment of moderate to severe epidermal melasma.
Triple combination therapy (fluocinolone 0.01%/hydroquinone 4%/tretinoin 0.05%) can enhance resolution B 11
of solar lentigines treated with cryotherapy.
Class III corticosteroids and narrowband ultraviolet B are the most effective and safest treatments for B 14
localized and generalized vitiligo, respectively.
Topical tacrolimus (Protopic) 0.1% ointment is a safe and effective alternative to topical corticosteroids for B 26
treatment of pityriasis alba.
Topical antifungal agents and topical adapalene (Differin) gel are effective treatments for tinea versicolor. A 27, 28
A = consistent, good-quality patient-oriented evidence; B = inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence; C = consensus, disease-oriented
evidence, usual practice, expert opinion, or case series. For information about the SORT evidence rating system, go to http://www.aafp.org/afpsort.
in the United States. Possible alternatives include cryo- extremities. Occasionally, it may be hyperpigmented.
therapy and laser therapy.24 Sun protection is essential The diagnosis is often clinical, with confirmation by
after treatment.1 microscopy using potassium hydroxide preparation.
Patients with segmental, stable, or lip-tip vitiligo can Standard treatments include topical selenium sulfide,
be treated with autologous transplantation methods. Split zinc pyrithione, and antifungals (e.g., onazole). Ada-
thickness and suction blister epidermal grafting tech- palene gel was also found to be noninferior to ketocon-
niques appear to be the safest and most effective, although azole in one study.27 Topical allylamines (e.g., terbinafine
transplant studies often lacked comparative controls.17 [Lamisil]) were better than azoles (e.g., ketoconazole)
Future studies on vitiligo are investigating the effect of for sustained cures.28 Oral antifungal treatment may be
psychological interventions on disease management. It is used if topical treatment is unsuccessful or impractical.
possible that such modalities in combination with stan-
POSTINFLAMMATORY HYPOPIGMENTATION
dard treatment regimens may provide additional benefit.25
Inflammatory conditions of the skin can cause loss of
PITYRIASIS ALBA pigment. Tinea versicolor, atopic dermatitis, pityriasis
Pityriasis alba is a disorder commonly associated with alba, psoriasis, and guttate parapsoriasis may affect pig-
atopic dermatitis, usually presenting as hypopigmented, ment production or transport. Treatment of the under-
irregular patches on the face, head, neck, and forearms in lying condition may improve hypopigmentation over
children and young adults. It is most notable in skin types time. Dermabrasion, chemical peels, cryotherapy, and
III to VI. A fine scale with itching is occasionally present. intralesional corticosteroids can also reduce pigment
Excessive unprotected sun exposure may be a trigger. locally, and these risks should be discussed with patients
Because pityriasis alba is self-limited, no treatment before treatment.
is necessary. However, topical corticosteroids and sun-
This article updates previous articles on this topic by Plensdorf and Mar-
screens are first-line treatments in symptomatic patients. tinez,1 and Stulberg, et al. 29,30
Use of low-potency hydrocortisone (0.5% to 2.5%) can
minimize the risk of skin atrophy, striae, and steroid Data Sources: The literature search was performed using PubMed
with key words postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, postinflamma-
acne. Topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment, applied twice tory hypopigmentation, solar lentigines, tinea versicolor, melasma,
per day, is considered a safe and effective alternative. vitiligo, café au lait macules, and pityriasis alba, and was limited to
Mild skin irritation is common.26 randomized controlled trials, practice guidelines, and clinical reviews
for the past five years. References from Essential Evidence Plus were
TINEA VERSICOLOR also used. Search dates: September 2015 and June 2017.
December 15, 2017 ◆ Volume 96, Number 12 www.aafp.org/afp American Family Physician 803
Pigmentation Disorders
time the article was submitted, Dr. Plensdorf was a faculty family physi- 12. Polder KD, Landau JM, Vergilis-Kalner IJ, Goldberg LH, Friedman PM,
cian at the Mclaren-Flint Family Medicine Residency Program, Flint, Mich. Bruce S. Laser eradication of pigmented lesions:a review. Dermatol
Surg. 2011;37(5):572-595.
MARIA LIVIERATOS, MD, is a family physician in private practice at May- 13. Habif TP, Fathman EM. Skin Disease:Diagnosis and Treatment. 1st ed.
ville (Mich.) Family HealthCare. At the time the article was submitted, Dr. St. Louis, Mo.:Mosby;2001:58,184-186,308-311,469.
Livieratos was a faculty family physician at the Mclaren-Flint Family Medi- 14. Whitton ME, Pinart M, Batchelor J, et al. Interventions for vitiligo.
cine Residency Program. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(2):CD003263.
NABIL DADA, MD, is a family physician and hospitalist at Norton Audo- 15. Lim HW, Grimes PE, Agbai O, et al. Afamelanotide and narrowband
bon Hospital in Louisville, Ky. At the time the article was submitted, Dr. UV-B phototherapy for the treatment of vitiligo:a randomized multi-
Dada was a third-year family medicine resident at the Mclaren-Flint Family center trial. JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(1):42-50.
Medicine Residency Program. 16. Njoo MD, Spuls PI, Bos JD, Westerhof W, Bossuyt PM. Nonsurgical
repigmentation therapies in vitiligo. Meta-analysis of the literature.
Address correspondence to Scott Plensdorf, MD, Lancaster General Arch Dermatol. 1998;134(12):1532-1540.
Health Family Medicine Residency Program, 540 N. Duke St., Lancaster, 17. Njoo MD, Westerhof W, Bos JD, Bossuyt PM. The development of
PA 17602 (e-mail: scott.plensdorf@gmail.com). Reprints are not avail- guidelines for the treatment of vitiligo. Arch Dermatol. 1999;135(12):
able from the authors. 1514-1521.
18. Al-Shobaili HA. Treatment of vitiligo patients by excimer laser improves
patients’ quality of life. J Cutan Med Surg. 2015;19(1):50-56.
REFERENCES
19. Silverberg NB. Pediatric vitiligo. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2014;61(2):
1. Plensdorf S, Martinez J. Common pigmentation disorders. Am Fam Phy- 347-366.
sician. 2009;79(2):109-116. 20. Wat H, Dytoc M. Off-label uses of topical vitamin D in dermatology:a
2. Yin NC, McMichael AJ. Acne in patients with skin of color:practical systematic review. J Cutan Med Surg. 2014;18(2):91-108.
management. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2014;15(1):7-16. 21. Wong R, Lin AN. Efficacy of topical calcineurin inhibitors in vitiligo. Int J
3. Negishi K, Akita H, Tanaka S, Yokoyama Y, Wakamatsu S, Matsunaga K. Dermatol. 2013;52(4):491-496.
Comparative study of treatment efficacy and the incidence of post- 22. Silverberg JI, Silverberg NB. Association between vitiligo extent and dis-
inflammatory hyperpigmentation with different degrees of irradiation tribution and quality-of-life impairment. JAMA Dermatol. 2013;149(2):
using two different quality-switched lasers for removing solar lentigines 159-164.
on Asian skin. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013;27(3):307-312. 23. Anbar TS, El-Ammawi TS, Abdel-Rahman AT, Hanna MR. The effect of
4. Chandra M, Levitt J, Pensabene CA. Hydroquinone therapy for post- latanoprost on vitiligo:a preliminary comparative study. Int J Dermatol.
inflammatory hyperpigmentation secondary to acne:not just prescrib- 2015;54(5):587-593.
able by dermatologists. Acta Derm Venereol. 2012;92(3):232-235. 24. Grimes PE, Nashawati R. Depigmentation therapies for vitiligo. Derma-
5. Woolery-Lloyd H, Kammer JN. Treatment of hyperpigmentation. Semin tol Clin. 2017;35(2):219-227.
Cutan Med Surg. 2011;30(3):171-175. 25. Shah R, Hunt J, Webb TL, Thompson AR. Starting to develop self-help
6. West TB, Alster TS. Effect of pretreatment on the incidence of hyperpig- for social anxiety associated with vitiligo:using clinical significance to
mentation following cutaneous CO2 laser resurfacing. Dermatol Surg. measure the potential effectiveness of enhanced psychological self-
1999;25(1):15-17. help. Br J Dermatol. 2014;171(2):332-337.
7. Rivas S, Pandya AG. Treatment of melasma with topical agents, peels 26. Rigopoulos D, Gregoriou S, Charissi C, Kontochristopoulos G, Kalog-
and lasers:an evidence-based review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2013;14(5): eromitros D, Georgala S. Tacrolimus ointment 0.1% in pityriasis alba:an
359-376. open-label, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Br J Dermatol. 2006;
8. Wanitphakdeedecha R, Keoprasom N, Eimpunth S, Manuskiatti W. The 155(1):152-155.
efficacy in melasma treatment using a 1410 nm fractional photother- 27. Shi TW, Ren XK, Yu HX, Tang YB. Roles of adapalene in the treatment
molysis laser. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2014;28(3):293-297. of pityriasis versicolor. Dermatology. 2012;224(2):184-188.
9. Jalaly NY, Valizadeh N, Barikbin B, Yousefi M. Low-power fractional CO2 28. Rotta I, Otuki MF, Sanches AC, Correr CJ. Efficacy of topical antifungal
laser versus low-fluence Q-switch 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser for treatment drugs in different dermatomycoses:a systematic review with meta-
of melasma:a randomized, controlled, split-face study. Am J Clin Der- analysis. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2012;58(3):308-318.
matol. 2014;15(4):357-363. 29. Stulberg DL, Clark N, Tovey D. Common hyperpigmentation disorders in
10. Na JI, Choi SY, Yang SH, Choi HR, Kang HY, Park KC. Effect of tranexamic adults:part I. Diagnostic approach, café au lait macules, diffuse hyper-
acid on melasma:a clinical trial with histological evaluation. J Eur Acad pigmentation, sun exposure, and phototoxic reactions. Am Fam Physi-
Dermatol Venereol. 2013;27(8):1035-1039. cian. 2003;68(10):1955-1960.
11. Hexsel D, Hexsel C, Porto MD, Siega C. Triple combination as adjuvant 30. Stulberg DL, Clark N, Tovey D. Common hyperpigmentation disorders
to cryotherapy in the treatment of solar lentigines:investigator-blinded, in adults:part II. Melanoma, seborrheic keratosis, acanthosis nigricans,
randomized clinical trial. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29(1): melasma, diabetic dermopathy, tinea versicolor, and postinflammatory
128-133. hyperpigmentation. Am Fam Physician. 2003;68(10):1963-1968.
804 American Family Physician www.aafp.org/afp Volume 96, Number 12 ◆ December 15, 2017