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Have Hypopigmented Spots On Scalp. Biopsy Shows Macular Hypopigmentation. Will Skin Return To Normal?
I am a 43 year old African American male. I have had hypopigmented spots on my scalp for the past three years. The spots are also on my abdomen, back, and face. Not very many on my abdomen, perhaps 15 on my back. And several on my face. I noticed the first spot on my face directly in the middle of my forehead. It gradually faded or the course of about a year. But another has come slightly above the first one and most of the spots seemed to be localized on my scalp. All over my scalp in fact. I had biopsies that have come back saying only that there was macular hypopigmentation. Nothing cancerous. I've seen several dermatologist and was diganosed with Progressive Macular Hypopigmentation. Will my skin return to normal is my question.
Fri, 19 Jul 2013
Hello,
The better term to use actually is progressive macular hypomelanosis (PMH). PMH is characterized by ill-defined nummular, non-scaly hypopigmented spots on the trunk, often confluent in and around the midline, and rarely extending to the proximal extremities and neck/head region. There is no itch, pain, or preceding inflammation. It is more often identified in Black people living in or originating from tropical countries. Some research suggest that, Propionibacterium acnes bacteria living in hair follicles are the cause of PMH as a result of production of a hypothetical depigmenting factor.
The disorder can be improved after elimination of these micro-organisms with topical antimicrobial treatment in combination with UVA light.Currently, the treatment of choice of PMH is application of 1% clindamycin lotion during the daytime, 5% benzoyl peroxide gel at night-time, and UVA light irradiation three times a week for a period of 12 weeks. There is insufficient information available as yet to comment on the recurrence rate after therapy.
However, you will still need to talk to your dermatologist about this treatment option.
Hope sincerely that this helps and wish you the best.
Dr. Nsah
The better term to use actually is progressive macular hypomelanosis (PMH). PMH is characterized by ill-defined nummular, non-scaly hypopigmented spots on the trunk, often confluent in and around the midline, and rarely extending to the proximal extremities and neck/head region. There is no itch, pain, or preceding inflammation. It is more often identified in Black people living in or originating from tropical countries. Some research suggest that, Propionibacterium acnes bacteria living in hair follicles are the cause of PMH as a result of production of a hypothetical depigmenting factor.
The disorder can be improved after elimination of these micro-organisms with topical antimicrobial treatment in combination with UVA light.Currently, the treatment of choice of PMH is application of 1% clindamycin lotion during the daytime, 5% benzoyl peroxide gel at night-time, and UVA light irradiation three times a week for a period of 12 weeks. There is insufficient information available as yet to comment on the recurrence rate after therapy.
However, you will still need to talk to your dermatologist about this treatment option.
Hope sincerely that this helps and wish you the best.
Dr. Nsah
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