Melanosis is a form of
hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is the darkening of an area of skin or nails caused by increased melanin.
Causes
Hyperpigmentation can be caused by sun damage, inflammation, or other skin injuries, including those related to acne vulgaris.James, William; Be ...
associated with increased
melanin
Melanin (; from el, μέλας, melas, black, dark) is a broad term for a group of natural pigments found in most organisms. Eumelanin is produced through a multistage chemical process known as melanogenesis, where the oxidation of the amino ...
.
It can also refer to:
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Melanism
The term melanism refers to black pigment and is derived from the gr, μελανός. Melanism is the increased development of the dark-colored pigment melanin in the skin or hair.
Pseudomelanism, also called abundism, is another variant of p ...
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Ocular melanosis
Ocular melanosis (OM) is a blue-gray and/or brown lesion of the conjunctiva that can be separated into benign conjunctival epithelial melanosis (BCEM) and primary acquired melanosis (PAM), of which the latter is considered a risk factor for uveal m ...
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Smoker's melanosis
Smoker's melanosis is seen with the naked eye as a brown to black pigmentation of the oral tissue i.e. the gums, cheeks or palate Axéll T, Hedin CA: Epidemiologic study of excessive oral melanin pigmentation with special reference to the influenc ...
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Oral melanosis Oral pigmentation is asymptomatic and does not usually cause any alteration to the texture or thickness of the affected area. The colour can be uniform or speckled and can appear solitary or as multiple lesions. Depending on the site, depth, and qua ...
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Riehl melanosis
Riehl melanosis is a form of contact dermatitis, beginning with pruritus, erythema, and pigmentation that gradually spreads which, after reaching a certain extent, becomes stationary. The pathogenesis of Riehl melanosis is believed to be sun expos ...
See also
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List of cutaneous conditions
References
External links
Dermatologic terminology
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