Pigmentary Disorders

Abstract

The population living in the tropics is predominantly dark skinned and hypopigmented or achromic macular skin conditions are more conspicuous than in light-skinned individuals. Pigmentary disorders are very frequent in most dermatology clinics in tropical regions. There are also indications that pigmentary disorders with hypopigmentation, apigmentation or hyper-pigmentation are more prevalent in the tropics than in countries with a temperate climate. Alterations of the skin colour due to diminution, absence or increase in pigment include:

• Albinism and piebaldism

• Vitiligo

• Leucoderma and leucomelanoderma

• Pityriasis alba

• Chloasma

• Berloque dermatitis

• Riehl’s melanosis