Hi,

I have a question has anyone discovered that they are suffering from hyper pigmentation?

Mine started last year, its not been officially diagnosed as Im avoided anyone in a white coat at the moment for fear of telling them what I think!

I have two blocks of brown skin, like a very dark tan on either side of my forehead. Normally Im lily white. Im always being tested for anemia. I also have a small brown mark under my left eye.

I know steroids can make you more sensitive to the sun, but Im no longer on them. I think I have seen something somewhere that says mestinon can make you sensitive to the sun but Im not sure.

Can anyone enlighten me? (no pun intended)

Cheers
Rach x

This can be caused by a genetic condition called hemochromatosis. This happens when iron starts building up in the body. It shows on the skin:
http://www.blisstree.com/tag/melasma/
There are pictures here of a woman who turned out to have hemochromatosis.

Changing skin color can be misdiagnosed as melasma in women.
(mask of pregnancy).

So I suggest you get tested for hemachromatosis...it is not that uncommon, and many doctors don't consider it. Untreated, over time it is fatal. (its occurance is about same as identical twinning).

Bronzing of the skin can occur in diabetes and adrenal disorders as well. But I would be persistent and get ruled out for hemochromatosis. Simple blood tests are all you need!

Thanks for that!

The pattern of the ladies skin definitely looks like the two patches on my forhead. The problem is they don't believe that I have mg! I dont see that they will believe this either!

But I will give it a go. My husband is on holiday soon so I will be able to get to the drs then and will update you with how I get on.

Thanks again for this I really appreciate it.

Cheers
Rach

The genes for hemochromatosis are most common in UK. Irish to be exact.

The UK has a very agressive stance therefore for it.

http://www.ironoverload.org/hooks.html

Rach, Are those the only spots you have it? Have you "checked around" to see if it is elsewhere?

Addison's can also cause "cafe au lait" spots/hyperpigmentation. I like this website:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20031115/1955.html

Good catch, Mrs. D.

I hope you won't be afraid to bring anything up to your docs. Heck, they seem to want to diagnose anything other than MG.

Annie

Hello all! I do know how common this is for Celtic people - I in fact have the gene, but do not HAVE it! THank goodness!

Big hugs!
Erin

Hi all,

My Mother and her identical twin both had those on their foreheads for many years. We are very Irish and my aunt was a diabetic, but my Mom was not. No one ever really thought anything of it. Thank you MrsD and Annie for the info. Take care.

Hugs,
Pat

I'm from Irish and Scotish heritage. Infact we joke Im so white, Im blue white! I think theres probably some Scandinavian in there as well as I was very very blonde. It would make sense as Britain was overrun by Vikings attacking us left right and centre!

Im on the contraceptive pill and have been for many years so I don't know if it could be that? But I will pursue the Iron overload suggestion. I expect that I will be accused of Munchausen syndrome but hell its a condition they will recognise !!! LOL.

Thanks for your replies you are a clever lot!

Love Rach