Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is the term used to describe pigmentary increases in the skin that occur as a result of inflammatory processes in the skin where damage to the dermo-epidermal junctional zone has occurred. In this respect, hyperpigmentations are based on the spread of the triggering skin disease.

Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation can be localized or disseminated, small spots or large areas. Blaschko-linear hyperpigmentations are also possible. People with dark skin type are predisposed.

The following skin diseases are associated with postinflammatory hyperpigmentation:

• Melasma (Chloasma)
• Melanodermatitis toxica (Hoffmann-Habermann)
• Melanosis perioralis et peribuccalis (Brocq)
• Periocular hyperpigmentation (atopic diathesis, chronic contact dermatitis)
• Actinic hyperpigmentation (e.g. in erythrosis interfollicularis colli)
• lichen planus
• Mechanical hyperpigmentation (under continuous mechanical load)
• Thermal hyperpigmentation (repetitive infrared irradiation, heating pad: hyperpigmentation caloric)
• Traumatic hyperpigmentation (after abrasions, after other injuries)
• Chemical hyperpigmentation (e.g. furocoumarins in meadow grass dermatitis, e.g. methoxypsoralenes in PUVA therapy; furthermore by alkylating substances and antimetabolites used as chemotherapeutic agents)
• Poikiloderma