CHEMO: AND HYPERPIGMENTATION

HYPERPIGMENTATION from chemotherapy, my neck is stained in the same way as the photograph above....my friend has this pigment on her face...I guess out of the two of us I am the lucky one.

What can we do about it ? not much. I have sought medical advice and tried all types of creams and potions to no avail. I have noticed with time the staining does seem to be fading , staying well away from the sun and not spraying perfume on my neck may have helped.

I also  wear wigs that are a little longer and it seems this year scarves have come into fashion to hide my neck. I am a young woman who once had a beautiful smooth neck but now I must cover it as those ladies do after reaching a certain age.

Here is some professional advice you may find helpful.

What is hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a darkening of the skin. This can occur as an overall darkening of the skin, or it can be localized. This may be connected to phototoxic reaction where the areas exposed to light may have a golden-brown or slate-grey color change. Some drugs will cause changes in the nails, darkening of the tongue, gums, and over finger joints. Most sking reactions occur within two to three weeks of initiation of chemotherapy and resolve 10 to 12 weeks after stopping treatment.

• Hyperpigmentation most commonly accompanies use of alkylating agents and antitumor antibodies.

 

• Methotrexate may produce a characteristic "flag sign" on the hair - horizontal

           pigmented bands alternating with normal hair color in light-haired individuals.

• Discoloration can occur in areas of pressure, such as under tape or dressings.   This has been reported with busulfan, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, ifosfamide, thiotepa, docetaxel, and etoposide.

 

• Serpentine hyperpigmentation: Some chemotherapy drugs (fluorouracil, vinorelbine, and some combination regimens) given intravenously (IV) can cause a darkening of the venous pathways up the arm. This darkening over the veins will eventually fade.
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  • The cause of these skin reactions is currently unknown, but may involve direct toxicity, stimulation of melanocytes (cells in skin responsible for skin color), and postinflammatory changes.   Although skin reactions may occasionally be permanent, in most cases, discoloration will gradually resolve after chemotherapy is stopped.

Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website about skin reactions and other medical conditions is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice.



SOURCE;   CHEMOCARE.