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Dr. Andrew Rynne

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Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Skin Pigmentation And Discoloration

Is there such a thing as permanent sunburn/ skin pigmentation/ skin discoloration? My husband always told me that his skin used to be lighter. I didn t believe him until I saw photos of him months before we met that yes he did have a noticeably lighter skin tone. We live in a tropical country, and he used to swim at the beach for hours without any sunblock. He also used to drive a motorbikes everyday for about 2 years. He has stopped spending hours under the sun for about a year now, however his skin tone doesn t seem to improve at all. What should we do?
Mon, 15 Sep 2014
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Addison's disease, and sun exposure all can make your skin darker.
Discoloration due to sunburn is known as hyperpigmentation
Sunburn can cause permanent pigmentation on prolonged exposure.
Unlike a temporary sunburn, it may take several years before skin discoloration begins to occur.
Diffuse skin pigmentation may also occur due to Hemochromatosis, Vitamin B12 , folate deficiency& Pellagra (Niacin deficiency).
Your husband should undergo the following tests to exclude some common systemic diseases causing hyperpigmentation:-
Morning plasma cortisol levels as a screening test for adrenal insufficiency
Serum Vitamin B12 level
Serum folate level
Blood level of tryptophan or urinary metabolites such as 2-pyridone/N-methylniacinamide ratio or NAD/NADP ratio in red blood cells to exclude pellagra.






Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D.
Mumbai
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Suggest Treatment For Skin Pigmentation And Discoloration

Hi, Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns. Addison s disease, and sun exposure all can make your skin darker. Discoloration due to sunburn is known as hyperpigmentation Sunburn can cause permanent pigmentation on prolonged exposure. Unlike a temporary sunburn, it may take several years before skin discoloration begins to occur. Diffuse skin pigmentation may also occur due to Hemochromatosis, Vitamin B12 , folate deficiency& Pellagra (Niacin deficiency). Your husband should undergo the following tests to exclude some common systemic diseases causing hyperpigmentation:- Morning plasma cortisol levels as a screening test for adrenal insufficiency Serum Vitamin B12 level Serum folate level Blood level of tryptophan or urinary metabolites such as 2-pyridone/N-methylniacinamide ratio or NAD/NADP ratio in red blood cells to exclude pellagra. Regards Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. Mumbai