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Post-inflammatory Hypopigmentation of
Skin
Appearance
Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation presents as poorly defined whitening of the skin, which is irregular in
outline. Often the loss of pigment is partial rather than complete [1] . The surface is usually normal but scaling may
be present if the underlying cause is scaly (such as eczema or psoriasis).

Causes
Partial loss of pigment may follow any inflammatory skin reaction but this is most noticeable in those with dark
skin. Scarring conditions such as thermal burns, discoid lupus and lichen planus will cause white atrophic
hypopigmented areas [1] . Postinflammatory hypopigmentation is a recognised hazard of laser therapy [2] .

Differential diagnosis [3, 4]

The differential diagnosis includes:

Vitiligo - this is normally well defined, geographic in shape and there is complete loss of pigment.
Pityriasis versicolor - this is made up of coalescing oval/round macules which may be slightly scaly.
Pityriasis alba - this is seen on the face of children as slightly scaly, poorly defined macules and
patches. It is common in children with dark skin but is seen in Caucasians in the summer. It is
assumed to be a mild form of eczema with hypopigmentation.
Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides - a slow progressive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma [5] .
Naevus depigmentosus - a congenital non-progressive hypopigmented macule or patch that is stable
in its relative size and distribution throughout life [6] .
Nummular eczema [7] .
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis - this causes widespread hypopigmented macules on the arms and
legs of middle-aged women and elderly men and women [8] .

Investigations
It may be possible to make the diagnosis on clinical grounds, based on the appearance, size, site and distribution
of lesions, the age of the patient and the sex of the patient. However, skin scraping for mycology and/or biopsy for
histopathology may be necessary. Laser scanning microscopy may be helpful in diagnosing hypopigmentation
disorders and may offer an alternative to invasive methods [9] .

Primary Care management

Treatment of the underlying condition is the mainstay of management. With sun exposure the white areas should
eventually repigment unless scarring has occurred.

Prognosis
Depigmentation often resolves spontaneously after weeks or months but may persist on occasion [10] .

When to refer
Referral may be needed in cases of diagnostic difficulty.
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Further reading & references

Vachiramon V; Aconcise approach to childhood hypopigmentation. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2013 Apr;6(2):73-4.
Furlan FC, Sanches JA; Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides: a review of its clinical features and pathophysiology. An Bras
Dermatol. 2013 Nov-Dec;88(6):954-60. doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20132336.

1. Pigmentation disorders; DermNet NZ

2. Choi CW, Kim HJ, Lee HJ, et al; Treatment of nevus of Ota using low fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Int J Dermatol.
2013 Jul 8. doi: 10.1111/ijd.12085.
3. Tey HL; Apractical classification of childhood hypopigmentation disorders. Acta Derm Venereol. 2010;90(1):6-11. doi:
10.2340/00015555-0794.
4. Neynaber S, Kirschner C, Kamann S, et al; Progressive macular hypomelanosis: a rarely diagnosed hypopigmentation in
Caucasians. Dermatol Res Pract. 2009;2009:607682. doi: 10.1155/2009/607682. Epub 2009 Jun 1.
5. Zhang JA, Yu JB; Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides in a chinese woman. Indian J Dermatol. 2013 Mar;58(2):161. doi:
10.4103/0019-5154.108093.
6. Lee DJ, Kang HY; Is spontaneous disappearance of nevus depigmentosus possible? Ann Dermatol. 2012 Feb;24(1):109-
11. doi: 10.5021/ad.2012.24.1.109. Epub 2012 Feb 2.
7. Nummular Eczema; American Osteopathic College of Dermatology
8. Kim SK, Kim EH, Kang HY, et al; Comprehensive understanding of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis: clinical and
histopathological correlation. Int J Dermatol. 2010 Feb;49(2):162-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.04209.x.
9. Xiang W, Xu A, Xu J, et al; In vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy of hypopigmented macules: a preliminary
comparison of confocal images in vitiligo, nevus depigmentosus and postinflammatory hypopigmentation. Lasers Med
Sci. 2010 Jul;25(4):551-8. doi: 10.1007/s10103-010-0764-2. Epub 2010 Feb 24.
10. Vachiramon V, Thadanipon K; Postinflammatory hypopigmentation. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2011 Oct;36(7):708-14. doi:
10.1111/j.1365-2230.2011.04088.x. Epub 2011 Jun 14.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical
conditions. EMIS has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its
accuracy. Consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
For details see our conditions.

Original Author: Current Version: Peer Reviewer:

Dr Laurence Knott Dr Laurence Knott Dr Adrian Bonsall
Document ID: Last Checked: Next Review:
4052 (v23) 10/11/2016 09/11/2021

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