RESUMEN
Periorbital pigmentation is a relatively common condition encountered in dermatology practice. The aetiology of periocular pigmentation may be multifactorial. There is a scarcity of data regarding the prevalence of the condition mainly because of its transitory and floating nature, the lack of reasonable etiologic explanations, and the fact that the condition is considered just a cosmetic nuisance. We wanted to study the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of periocular hyperpigmentation and assess the proportion of various determinants in adult patients.METHODSA descriptive study was done among 130 adult patients with periocular pigmentation who attended a tertiary care hospital in Kerala during a period of one and a half years. A detailed history, dermatological and system examination, Wood’s lamp & relevant laboratory investigations were done and results were analysed using appropriate biostatistics.RESULTSMajority of the patients belonged to 2nd decade and females predominated. Atopy and regular cosmetic usage were seen in 72% of the patients. Involvement of both eyelids was seen in 53.8% & post inflammatory was the most common type seen. Iron deficiency anaemia was the commonly associated systemic illness seen and stress aggravated the condition in 55.4% of our patients. 51.5% had grade 3 pigmentation. Wood’s lamp examination showed a predominance of epidermal pigmentation in 49.2% patients.CONCLUSIONSAlthough considered a phenomenon within the limit of physiology, patients, especially women, are really bothered and concerned about it, even relating the presence of dark circles with significant impairment on their quality of life. A proper understanding of the etiopathogenesis is important which includes identification and therapeutic targeting of each contributing etiologic factor for an individual patient.
RESUMEN
Background: Melasma is a common, acquired, recurrent and chronic disorder of hypermelanosis. It is distributed symmetrically and affects the sun-exposed areas mainly the face (forehead, cheeks, upper lip and chin), and manifests as light to dark brown patches of hyperpigmentation. The objective of this study is to identify the major predisposing and aggravating factors of melasma. Materials and methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional study, conducted in the Dermatology OPD of Meenakshi Medical College, among 100 patients with melasma for a period of 18 months. Melasma was diagnosed clinically and using Wood’s lamp examination. Factors such as the age at presentation, gender, duration of sun exposure per day, family history, intake of precipitating drugs and systemic diseases were assessed. Results: Most of the patients were in the age group of 36-45 years and the majority of patients were females. Sun exposure for >2 hours was observed to be an important triggering factor. Positive family history was present in 46% patients, 12 patients had a history of intake of precipitating drugs and 30 patients had systemic diseases. Conclusion: It can be concluded from this study that the above factors play a significant role in the development and prognosis of melasma. Sun exposure for longer duration was observed to be a very important factor, especially because of the climatic conditions prevailing here. So elimination of the exacerbating factors and treatment of associated systemic conditions are important in the management along with the therapeutic agents.