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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Atopic Dermatitis vs. Post Inflammatory Hypopigmentation
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Atopic Dermatitis vs. Post Inflammatory Hypopigmentation
by Victor, May 28, 2000 12:00AM
I have a skin condition which apparently has neither a name nor a cure. Let me explain: My skin lacks pigmenation underneath the forearms, the buttocks and outer thighs. The areas of discoloration are lighter than my skin. They appear to be almost whiter in color, but not flat out white. These areas are the same texture as the rest of my skin. The discoloration is neither patchy nor sporatic. Instead it seems to 'flow' through the affected areas. They are not itchy, flaky, raised, scaly, or anything else for that matter. The only thing it does get is dry, just like the rest of my skin. It seems that as I get older the pigmentation grows with me, to proportion itself with the rest of my body. I have had this pigmentation problem for about ten years; I am 20 now, so it started around puberty. Some dermatologists believed that I had atopic dermatitis, but lab tests have proven otherwise. The dermatologists think it might be related to atopic dermatitis, but have not found anything to solidify their idea. This is not a fungus, it is not infectuous, and it is not contagious. A biopsy revealed that what I had was a condition called post inflammatory hypopigmentation. Post inflammatory to what? I don't know. Have you ever heard or seen anything like what I have described to you? Can anybody tell me what this is, what causes it, or what I can do about it? Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, May 29, 2000 12:00AM
, May 29, 2000 12:00AM
Victor:
It isn't uncommon at all for people to have iregularities of pigmentation, which cannot be explained. The distribution of your skin lightening matches where many people get eczema, but it doesn't seem that you have the scaling and redness that condition invariably brings. Therefore, the past inflamation (inflammation) hinted at in the biopsy has no precise name or cause.
There are many skin irregularities which are visible (skin being on the outside of us) but which have no particular significance or treatment. What people do is cover what embarrasses them and ignore the rest. I really think that is what you ought to do. There really doesn't seem to be much choice, in any case.
Good luck.
Dr. R
It isn't uncommon at all for people to have iregularities of pigmentation, which cannot be explained. The distribution of your skin lightening matches where many people get eczema, but it doesn't seem that you have the scaling and redness that condition invariably brings. Therefore, the past inflamation (inflammation) hinted at in the biopsy has no precise name or cause.
There are many skin irregularities which are visible (skin being on the outside of us) but which have no particular significance or treatment. What people do is cover what embarrasses them and ignore the rest. I really think that is what you ought to do. There really doesn't seem to be much choice, in any case.
Good luck.
Dr. R
