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Reticulate, patchy and mottled pigmentation of the neck. Acquired forms
1Outpatient Clinic of Dermatology, Triemli Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 13, 1998
Summary
Acquired neck pigmentation, beyond inherited forms, stems from diverse causes like sun exposure, infections, and treatments. The neck
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pathogenesis of Skin Pigmentation
Background:
- The neck is a common site for both inherited and acquired mottled and reticulate pigmentation.
- Numerous diseases and external factors can trigger acquired neck pigmentation, often linked to sun exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse causes of acquired neck pigmentation.
- To highlight the diagnostic significance of neck pigmentation in various dermatological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of conditions causing acquired neck pigmentation.
- Categorization of pigmentary alterations based on etiology (sun-induced, infections, treatments, neoplasms, etc.).
Main Results:
- Sun exposure is a key factor, leading to conditions like berloque dermatitis and poikiloderma of Civatte.
- Infections (e.g., pediculosis capitis) and treatments (e.g., topical agents, laser) can cause irregular pigmentation.
- Neoplasms and systemic diseases (e.g., connective tissue diseases) are also implicated in neck pigmentation.
Conclusions:
- Acquired neck pigmentation has a broad differential diagnosis.
- The neck's accessibility makes it a valuable site for diagnosing various skin diseases.