Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kiran Singh, M.D. [2]

Overview

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis is a dermatological disease that presents as small spots of depigmented skin, primarily on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the forearms. It affects both sexes, but appears to onset earlier in women. The precise cause of the condition is unknown, hence idiopathic, but it is likely related to damage of the skin's pigment-producing melanocytes by sun exposure.

Diagnosis

Physical Examination

Skin

Extremity

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  Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.
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  Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.

References

• http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic194.htm