Clinico-histopathological profile of acral hyperpigmentation in skin of colour- A case series and review of literature

Abstract

Acral melanosis refers to increase in melanin pigmentation, in a diffuse, reticulate or focal pattern over the distal portions of the limbs and the head. The underlying causes are broadly classified as genetic or acquired, including various causes like hereditary, infections, inflammatory conditions, traumatic, neoplasms, drug induced and miscellaneous causes. We present seven cases of acral pigmentation with their clinical features, dermoscopy and histopathological findings. Here is an attempt to understand the subject better with the etiological classification and review of literature.