Skin Pigmentation Disorders: An Overview


Skin pigmentation disorders affect the color of the skin. In some cases, the cells that produce melanin - melanocytes - become damaged, thus affecting melanin production. Some disorders affect the entire body while others affect only patches of skin.

Pigmentation Disorders



Skin Conditions Related to Pigment Disorders

Some major skin diseases caused by pigment disorders are:

Albinism - is a rare genetic disorder which causes partial or total melanin deficiency in the skin. People with albinism are called albinos and typically have pale skin, white hair, and pink eyes. Most albinos are sensitive to sunlight exposure, have vision issues and are at a very high risk for skin cancer.

UKEREWE - TANZANIA - JULY 2, 2015: Unidentified albino mother and son on July 2, 2015 in Ukerewe, Tanzania.
Image Copyright: Dietmar Temps /


Acanthosis nigricans - is a condition causing dark, velvety coloration in folds and creases of the body. The affected parts of the skin can also thicken. Parts of the body that are commonly affected by acanthosis nigricans are the armpits, neck, and groin.

Xeroderma pigmentosum - is a rare genetic condition that can affect all ethnic groups. People with this condition are extremely sensitive to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Sun exposure causes severe burns to their skin leading to skin changes such as irregular dark spots, very dry skin, rough growths called solar keratoses, and even skin cancers.

Incontinentia pigmenti - is an inherited skin pigmentation disorder associated with abnormalities of the skeletal system, teeth, central nervous system, and eyes. It is caused by mutation to a gene that belongs to a group of genes causing neurocutaneous disorders. This condition is more common in males than females and causes discoloration of the skin due to excessive melanin deposits.

Vitiligo - is a disorder causing smooth, white patches in the skin and is a result of loss of melanocytes. The white patches are highly sensitive to sunlight exposure.

Woman with vitiligo disease
Copyright: iordani / Shutterstock

Pityriasis alba - is a very common condition affecting the skin.  It is characterized by red, scaly patches that cause hypopigmentation or lighter colored skin. This condition is believed to be a manifestation of atopic dermatitis, another disorder affecting the skin.

Lentigines - are also called liver spots, and are flat, benign lesions appearing in the sun-exposed parts of the body. The dark-colored lesions are irregular in shape and are a result of high amount of melanocytes in the superficial skin layers. These lesions are more common in the middle-aged and elderly population. The face and back of hands are commonly affected by this condition.


Reviewed by Jonas Wilson, Ing. Med.

Last Updated: May 18, 2016



Post a new comment