Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis

Abstract

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis is usually associated with guttate hyperkeratosis, xerosis, and lentiginosis not related to the patient's age. Histologically, hypopigmented macules show remarkably decreased melanin, decreased DOPA-oxidase activity and a decreased number of melanosomes in the melanocytes with predominance of Stages I and II and small sizes. The epidermis is always atrophic. When scales are removed by scraping, hyperkeratotic lesions show, clinically and histologically, variable degrees of hypomelanosis; thus suggesting a relationship with the hypopigmented macules. These data suggest that idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis is the result of an early aging of the skin.

Clinical features of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis in 646 subjects and association with other aspects of photoaging

“…In this study, 16% of IGH subjects complained of progression in the size or number of their lesions. Although previous research has stated that IGH lesions do not change in size, additional research on this issue is necessary 3 , In our sample, IGH lesions in subjects with greater numbers of lesions tended to be non‐homogeneous in size and to be relatively larger than in subjects with smaller numbers of lesions. Overall, 2.5% of our IGH subjects had more than 30 lesions each and this group was predominantly male; thus IGH occurred more often in elderly men.…”

“…Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) is a common, benign, Leukodermic dermatosis of unknown origin. It manifests in small, achromic or hypopigmented macules measuring 0.2–1.6 cm that mainly affect the exposed upper and lower extremities 1–3 . Increasing life expectancy and growing demand for the prevention and treatment of skin aging underline the need for better knowledge of IGH.…”

“…The exact cause of IGH is unknown, but various factors may contribute to it. Etiologic theories have included senile degeneration, 3,4 sunlight exposure, 2,5,6 and trauma, 1 but the evidence proposed by these studies is unconvincing. We evaluated the prevalence of IGH according to subject age groups and associations with other dermatoses related to photoaging.…”

Hypomelanosis guttata idiopathica

“…Diskutiert werden eine genetische Disposition, altersbedingte Störungen der Melanozytenfunktion oder somatische Mutationen [6,11,16,19]. Darüber hinaus wurde über ein Auftreten von Parietalzell-AK bei Patienten mit HGI berichtet, was darauf hinweist, daß wie bei der Vitiligo Autoimmunphänomene eine pathogenetische Rolle spielen könnten [22].…”

“…Im Gegensatz zur Vitiligo treten spontane Repigmentierungen nicht auf [16,19]. Die konsequente Anwendung eines Lichtschutzes sowie die Meidung einer intensiven UV-Exposition verhindert eine Kontrastanhebung der vorbestehenden Hautveränderungen durch zunehmende Bräunung der umgebenden normalen Haut.…”