Melanin deficiency is characterized by a lighter coloration of the skin, which can occur on the entire body or only in patches. The causes of the condition are varied and a detailed medical history is required to clarify them. In general, however, melanin deficiency is almost always harmless, but can be a great psychological burden for those affected.
What is melanin deficiency?
Melanin deficiency, medically called hypomelanosis, is a pigment disorder of the skin caused by a lack of melanocytes. Melanocytes, found in the epidermis, are responsible for the production of melanin, which both gives the skin its natural color and protects the deeper layers of skin from harmful UV radiation. The melanocytes are activated either by UV light or by the melanocyte-stimulating hormone, abbreviated MSH, also called melanotropin, which in both cases results in melanin synthesis and leads to the formation of melanosomes. In the case of an area-wide melanin deficiency, the skin on the entire body is lighter than usual; in the case of a localized melanin deficiency, it has light patches. If melanin is completely absent, such as in complete albinism, the condition is called depigmentation.
Causes
The causes of melanin deficiency can be of various kinds and have not yet been conclusively clarified in detail today. However, initially the number of melanocytes in the epidermis is always decisive. The fewer melanocytes there are, the less melanin can be produced by the body and the lighter the skin appears. In the case of so-called white spot disease, a localized melanin deficiency, it is now suspected that an autoimmune reaction causes the destruction of melanocytes in the epidermis. Other causes for the destruction of melanocytes, which also manifest themselves in spot-like form, can be X-ray examinations or cosmetics. Heat or cold, for example also therapeutically induced, as in cryotherapy, a special form of cold therapy used among other things for rheumatism, can also cause destruction of the melanocytes. Drugs that influence hormonal metabolism, such as the contraceptive pill, can also trigger a melanin deficiency. Furthermore, toxins are also possible causes of melanin deficiency, as are inflammations of the epidermis, such as psoriasis or neurodermatitis.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
A melanin deficiency is initially manifested by the characteristic pigment disorder of the skin. In the affected region, the skin appears unusually light or dark, with sharply demarcated areas of skin, usually occurring over large areas on the face, shoulders and arms, or neck. Depending on the type and severity of the deficiency symptoms, the pigmentary disorders can vary greatly. A mild melanin deficiency is manifested by isolated skin spots, while a severe deficiency can cause extensive skin changes. A typical feature of pigment spots is that they do not change color when exposed to sunlight. Instead, UV radiation quickly causes the pigment spots to redden and eventually sunburn. If white spot disease is the cause, the spots increase in size and number in the long term. The conspicuous skin areas are accompanied by premature graying of the hair, nail changes and occasionally also changes in eye color. If the melanin deficiency is based on albinism, defective vision may occur. There is also increased sensitivity to sunlight, manifested by recurrent sunburns and severe discomfort in the sun. The risk of skin cancer is greatly increased with melanin deficiency. The condition is also often associated with psychological symptoms such as depression or anxiety.
Diagnosis and course
Diagnostically, in the case of melanin deficiency, the main focus is on the patient’s extensive medical history in order to rule out any hereditary diseases or even a melanin deficiency induced by drugs or medical treatments. The patient’s entire medical history may be important in finding the cause of the melanin deficiency. In some circumstances, a biopsy of one of the affected house sites may also reveal something about the background of the melanin deficiency. The course of the disease is mostly harmless and only slowly progressive.In the case of white spot disease, the spots do become larger in the course of life and often also increase in number, but this is not a cause for concern in relation to the skin.
Complications
Melanin deficiency can lead to some complications. Depending on the cause, a lack of melanin usually makes the skin more sensitive to light. This increases the risk for sunburns and serious skin diseases. Melanin deficiency as a result of albinism or white spot disease is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer. In addition, the eyes are hypersensitive and become diseased more frequently during the course of life. Melanin deficiency is also often an emotional burden. The frequently occurring spots are regarded by those affected as a cosmetic flaw, which can lead to a decrease in self-esteem, for example. White spot disease in particular can be stressful for sufferers, as the spots increase in size and number over the course of a lifetime. The burden is intensified by accelerated graying of the hair and faster aging of the skin. Complications can also arise in the treatment of melanin deficiency. For example, ampoules and nasal sprays containing the active ingredient melanotan are suspected of damaging the cardiovascular system and the digestive tract. Severe skin damage and allergic reactions may also occur. Similar risks are posed by dietary supplements and vitamin preparations that are commonly used for melanin deficiency.
When should you see a doctor?
People suffering from a pale complexion or white patches on the skin should consult a doctor to determine the cause. A noticeably pale skin is an indication of a deficiency of nutrients in the organism, which, if left untreated, will lead to an increase in symptoms. Spots or disorders of pigmentation are signs of an existing irregularity that must be investigated and treated. They can appear all over the body and are present in a different expression in each sufferer. A visit to the doctor is necessary as soon as the skin changes spread on the body or the affected areas increase in size. If the affected person suffers from swelling, pain or a strong tendency to develop sunburn, a doctor should be consulted. A distinctive feature of melanin deficiency is the constant pallor of pigmented spots despite sun exposure. Affected persons often complain of a decrease in well-being during stays in the sun. If they react particularly sensitively to sunlight, a doctor is needed to clarify the cause. If emotional peculiarities occur in addition to the physical complaints, a doctor should be consulted. Behavioral abnormalities, an aggressive demeanor or a withdrawal from the social environment are considered signs of an existing health problem. A visit to the doctor is necessary so that countermeasures can be initiated.
Treatment and therapy
The therapy of melanin deficiency depends on the cause of the same. If the deficiency is caused by medication, it is necessary to discontinue the medication and find a substitute. In the case of cosmetics, it goes without saying that the product should be avoided in the future. If the melanin deficiency weighs too heavily on the soul, psychological therapy is advisable. Otherwise, in the case of localized melanin deficiency in the form of spots, a purely cosmetic therapy is recommended to bring the spots in line with the rest of the skin and to restore self-esteem. Irradiation of the affected skin areas is also often used for white spot disease and other spot-like occurrences of melanin deficiency. However, the therapy is usually of long duration and must be performed regularly over a period of months. To stimulate the production of melanin in the body, authors Russel J. Reiter and Jo Robinson recommend in their book “Melanin. The new weapon against age and disease” to take 100 milligrams of nicotinamide, 1000 milligrams of calcium and 500 milligrams of magnesium in the evening and 25 to 50 milligrams of vitamin B6 in the morning as a dietary supplement. However, there are no confirmed studies on this.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis for melanin deficiency is generally favorable. There is no further physical impairment due to melanoma cell deficiency in most cases. In daily life, increased attention should be paid to certain risk factors, such as the influence of sunlight, for an improvement in overall health.Otherwise, secondary disorders are to be expected, which will lead to a worsening of the situation. Provided that the affected person shows sufficient consideration for his increased sensitivity to the sun’s rays, no further irregularities on the physical level are to be expected. However, without this behavior, changes in the skin’s appearance and a worsening of well-being may occur. In the case of a very unfavorable course of the disease, without the sufficient consideration and protection from sunlight, the risk of developing skin cancer is increased. This represents a potential threat to human life and, if left untreated, will lead to premature death. In addition, when making a prognosis, it must be taken into account that the lack of melanin leads to visual abnormalities. This can trigger states of emotional distress, as the visual blemish is perceived as unpleasant by many affected individuals. Under unfavorable conditions, a psychological disorder develops. This must be taken into account when making a prognosis, as it has a significant negative impact on the overall condition of the affected person.
Prevention
Particularly in the case of depigmentation, affected individuals are advised to use sunscreen products with a high sun protection factor as a preventive measure, since in this case the UV light can penetrate into deeper skin layers completely unhindered and the risk of skin cancer increases accordingly. Visits to the solarium are generally not recommended in any form of melanin deficiency.
Aftercare
Melanin deficiency usually makes the skin of affected individuals more sensitive to light, which in aftercare means consciously staying away from excessive sun exposure. The risk of skin cancer, sunburns and other serious diseases increases, and hypersensitivity of the eyes should also be countered with sufficient protection. Spots also appear on the skin of sufferers, causing psychological disturbances and a general emotional burden. The self-esteem of sufferers decreases as the spots are seen as a cosmetic blemish. In this context, aftercare also includes self-confident handling of the disease.
What you can do yourself
When the harmless white spot disease, a form of melanin deficiency, occurs, the affected person should take care to protect the areas of the body that are affected especially from the sun. A sunscreen with a high sun protection factor should be used regularly before going outdoors. In the severe form of melanin deficiency, albinism, great care must be taken to protect the skin as well as the eyes from the sun. It is best for the affected person not to be outside when the sunlight is high. Clothing that protects from UV rays is of great importance. Wearing a hat and sunglasses, as well as using a sunscreen are also advisable. The lack of melanin is often visible to the affected person. This can lead to psychological stress. Because of this, psychological care by a therapist or by a psychologist and/or participation in a self-help group on the particular form of the disease are advisable. It can improve the life of the affected person by establishing contact with other affected persons or by being accompanied by a trained person. In addition, this counteracts the development of depression. Furthermore, in the case of white spot disease, cosmetic treatment of the affected areas can lead to an improvement in the patient’s mental state.
