Acquired disorders with hypopigmentation: A clinical approach to diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Acquired hypopigmented skin changes are commonly encountered by dermatologists. Although hypopigmentation is often asymptomatic and benign, occasional serious and disabling conditions present with cutaneous hypopigmentation. A thorough history and physical examination, centered on disease distribution and morphologic findings, can aid in delineating the causes of acquired hypopigmented disorders. The second article in this 2-part continuing medical education series focuses on conditions with a hypopigmented phenotype. Early diagnosis and appropriate management of these disorders can improve a patient's quality of life, halt disease progression, and prevent irreversible disability.

Keywords: Bier spots; arsenicosis; chronic arsenic exposure; copper deficiency; cutaneous T-cell lymphoid dyscrasia; drug-induced hypopigmentation; eruptive hypomelanosis; global hypopigmentation; hypopigmented mycosis fungoides; hypopigmented parapsoriasis en plaque; idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis; leprosy; leucoderma syphiliticum; leukoderma punctata; nutritional deficiencies; physiological anemic macules; pityriasis versicolor; postinflammatory hypopigmentation; post–kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis; progressive macular hypomelanosis; selenium deficiency.