Etymed
hypopigmentation
Definition
A condition characterized by reduced or absent pigmentation of the skin, hair, or eyes due to insufficient melanin production
Clinical context
A 28-year-old woman presents with multiple hypopigmented patches on her arms and legs that have been present since childhood. The patches are well-demarcated and do not cause any symptoms. A Wood's lamp examination reveals no fluorescence, and skin biopsy shows absent melanocytes. Her family history is positive for similar lesions in her mother and maternal grandmother.
Mnemonic
Hypo = Low pigment, think 'Hypopigmentation = Happy to be low' or 'Hypo = Hopeless, no pigment' for the lack of melanin