A pigment disorder can affect people at any age and also manifests itself in different forms and manifestations. For example, the entire body can be affected by the disease or only individual parts of the body. Some forms can be prevented, while other types of pigment disorder can be treated but not prevented.
What is a pigment disorder?
A pigment disorder is when too much or too little melanin is produced, so that the actual color of the skin changes. Normally, melanocytes ensure that melanin is produced, giving the skin a light brownish color. In addition, the color pigments block UV rays so that they cannot penetrate deep into the skin. In the case of a pigment disorder, on the other hand, a change in skin color occurs on individual parts of the body or on the entire body. Basically, pigment disorders can be divided into two types: melanin excess and melanin deficiency. The most common form, hypermelanosis, is manifested by an excessive coloration of the skin, while hypomelanosis shows a reduced melanin content and thus a weaker coloration of the skin. In extreme cases, melanin deficiency can lead to complete depigmentation, as no melanin is produced at all.
Causes
Depending on the type of pigmentation disorder, the causes can also vary. Frequently, hereditary factors play a major role and favor, for example, albinism or freckles. However, certain medications or cosmetic products can also be a trigger. Women in particular are often prone to a pigment disorder due to hormonal changes, such as when taking the pill or during pregnancy. In addition, prolonged exposure of the skin to cold or heat can lead to a disturbance in the formation of color pigments. Triggers that have a stimulating effect on melanin production, such as UV rays or inflammation, should also not be underestimated.
Typical symptoms and signs
- Deficiency or excess of melanin
- Freckles
- Lentil spot
Diagnosis and progression
The suspicion of a pigment disorder should of course be checked by a dermatologist. This person will first look at the discoloration of the skin, as this can already be a fairly clear sign. A biopsy from one of the discolored skin areas can also provide additional certainty. Questioning family members can also be helpful in making a diagnosis if it is a hereditary pigment disorder. Depending on the cause, the course of the disorder also varies, but in most cases the disease is harmless and does not cause any long-term damage. Mild forms may resolve on their own over the course of a lifetime, while a hereditary pigment disorder often persists for a lifetime.
Complications
As a rule, a pigment disorder does not lead to particular complications or to other serious health complaints. It also does not negatively affect the patient’s life expectancy, allowing those affected to lead ordinary lives. However, a pigment disorder can have a negative effect on the psyche, so that patients suffer from reduced self-esteem or possibly inferiority complexes. Depression and other psychological upsets may also result, thus having a very negative impact on the quality of life of the affected person. Furthermore, skin cancer can occur more easily due to the pigmentation disorder, so that those affected are dependent on regular examinations by a dermatologist. With early diagnosis and treatment, however, there are no particular complications or complaints. In children, the pigment disorder may eventually cause bullying or teasing from the environment. Treatment of the pigment disorder is usually not necessary. Cosmetic applications may be able to compensate for these disorders, but this is not possible in every case. Also by various care products, the aesthetic complaints of a pigment disorder can be covered as well, so that the affected person feels comfortable with his skin.
When should one go to the doctor?
A pigment disorder does not necessarily have to be treated by a doctor.A visit to the doctor is necessary if pigment spots or other skin changes are accompanied by other symptoms. For example, itching or reddening of the skin may indicate a serious skin disease. If there is discomfort or hormonal complaints, this may indicate skin cancer. A visit to the family doctor or a dermatologist is recommended. Also, if psychological complaints such as inferiority complexes or social anxiety occur as a result of the unusual skin patches, specialist help is necessary. Those affected should contact their family doctor or a therapist. Further diagnosis is made by the dermatologist, who can determine the cause and initiate appropriate countermeasures. People who already suffer from skin complaints or have a sensitive skin type should have pigment disorders clarified by a doctor without delay. If the typical measures have no effect, the doctor must be informed. Depending on the cause and effect of the pigment disorders, the internist or a psychologist may also be consulted. In most cases pigment disorders are unproblematic and do not need to be treated by a doctor. Injuries to the skin or a poorly healing sunburn are also warning signs that require rapid medical clarification. Those affected are best to talk to their family doctor if the pigment spots do not go away on their own after a few days.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment from a medical point of view is only necessary in the rarest of cases; as a rule, a pigment disorder is harmless and has no negative effects on the body. For many affected individuals, however, the disorder represents a major problem for cosmetic reasons. It is not uncommon for large areas of skin discoloration in particular to be perceived as emotionally stressful, so that various measures may be considered depending on the cause. The basic requirement is that the affected person protects his skin and does not expose it to intensive sunlight. In addition, cosmetics, such as camouflage (make-up), are mainly used in the treatment to cover pigment spots on the face and neck. Other parts of the body can be treated with self-tanning or lightening agents so that the color changes match the rest of the skin. However, bleaching agents should only be used in consultation with the treating physician to avoid possible side effects. Those suffering from a melanin deficiency can also achieve great success with irradiation. Over a longer period of time, this method attempts to restore the formation of the color pigments so that the pigment disorder is reduced.
Outlook and prognosis
The term “pigment disorder” summarizes various disorders of skin pigmentation. Causation and progression of the various skin pigmentation disorders must therefore be considered individually. A generalized prognosis is not possible. In pigmentation disorders such as albinism, the prognosis is negative because the entire skin is affected. This pigmentation disorder is hereditary and cannot be revised. Age-related pigmentary disorders are only cosmetically revisable. This worsens the prognosis. Often freckles fade in the cold season. However, they multiply again under the influence of the sun. In the pigmentary disorder vitiligo, also known as white spot disease, in contrast to the above, there is a progressive loss of pigment in places. Over the years, the spots expand in quantity and extent. Extremely rarely, spontaneous repigmentation occurs. Drug repigmentation is not yet possible. Therefore, the prognosis is negative. Pigmentary disorders can either increase or decrease skin pigmentation. The loss of pigment leads to whitish skin. This stands out clearly from the normal toned skin. The increase in pigment leads to brownish skin spots, as is often seen in people of advanced age. In itself, pigment disorders of the skin have no disease value. They are disorders that affect skin pigmentation. However, pigment disorders can be a great psychological burden for those affected if they are extensive. Necessary on depigmented skin is usually a better sun protection.
Prevention
Whether a pigment disorder can be prevented depends, of course, on the causes. In any case, frequent visits to the solarium and direct exposure to the sun should be avoided.However, hereditary or hormonal factors cannot be counteracted, so that at most an improvement of the pigment disorder can be achieved by appropriate measures.
Aftercare
Aftercare refers to serious diseases. It regularly takes place in the case of cancer, which can recur after some time. In contrast, a pigment disorder does not represent a life-threatening disease. It is usually harmless and turns out to be more of a cosmetic problem. If treatment takes place, it is usually outside the scope of the primary care physician’s responsibility. The patient can use cosmetics to conceal the spots. He can obtain sufficient information on this in drugstores and beauty salons. If medication has been identified as the cause of a pigment disorder, it can be expected to subside after it has been discontinued. In this case, too, there is no need for medical aftercare. However, it may take several months for the skin to regenerate. On the other hand, pigment disorders that lead to psychological stress require treatment. Those affected then avoid social contacts, resulting in depression. Doctors usually decide on irradiation, which can take several months. The dermatologist informs about the number of treatment appointments. Aftercare basically also aims to prevent the recurrence of the disease. In the case of a pigment disorder, the patient bears sole responsibility for this. He is informed as part of the initial therapy that he must avoid strong sun exposure.
What you can do yourself
People with a pigmentation disorder often suffer from a visual blemish. Although there is no physical impairment or discomfort, a pigment disorder can lead to emotional as well as mental stress. Therefore, it is often considered helpful if the affected person seeks help and support from trusted persons to stabilize the psyche. Discussions with friends, relatives or psychotherapists can bring new perspectives or insights to the person affected. An exchange in Internet forums or self-help groups can contribute to the development of the well-being and give new impulses in the daily handling of the pigment disorder. By wearing clothes that help to conceal the skin abnormalities, the affected person can help himself in everyday life. Accessories or fashionable clothing accessories can distract from the pigment disorder. This is perceived by many affected persons as relieving. In the case of freckles or other unwanted skin changes on the face, it is possible to cover them up with the help of cosmetic products. Despite the possibilities, it is important to strengthen one’s own self-confidence when dealing with the pigment disorder in everyday life. In case of melanin deficiency, creams containing enzyme extract of lactic flora or proper diet can be used to stimulate melanin formation. Consumption of gooseberries and licorice root has a stimulating effect on the organism and can be used by the affected person.
