Hyperpigmentation induced by UVB at the application site of estradiol

We report a case of a 48-year-old woman who presented with chronic essential pruritus and was successfully treated with the transdermal estradiol system because of menopausal discomfort. Suberythemogenic UVB phototherapy was proposed to the patient in order to control her pruritus. She developed hyperpigmentation at the application site of estradiol. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report suggesting a direct relationship between estrogen and melanin synthesis in humans.