Hypopigmentation: Difference between revisions

'''Hypopigmentation''' is characterized specifically as an area of [[skin]] becoming lighter than the baseline skin color, but not completely devoid of [[skin pigment|pigment]]. This is not to be confused with depigmentation, which is characterized as the absence of all pigment.<ref name=":1" /> It is caused by [[melanocyte]] or [[melanin]] depletion, or a decrease in the [[amino acid]] [[tyrosine]], which is used by melanocytes to make melanin.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=Biochemistry |last=Ferrier |first=Denise R. |isbn=978-1-4963-4449-6 |edition= Seventh |location=Philadelphia |oclc=956263971|year=2017 }}</ref> Some common genetic causes include mutations in the [[tyrosinase]] gene or [[OCA2]] gene.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine|last1=Bolognia|first1=Jean|last2=Braverman|first2=Irwin|publisher=McGraw-Hill|year=2014|location=New York, NY|chapter=Skin Manifestations of Internal Disease}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com.eres.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/content.aspx?bookid=2355&sectionid=185845621.|title=The Big Picture: Medical Biochemistry Eds|last=Cross|first=Harold|publisher=McGraw-Hill|location=New York, NY|chapter=Biochemical Basis of Diseases}}</ref> As melanin pigments tend to be in the skin, eye, and hair, these are the commonly affected areas in those with hypopigmentation.<ref name=":0" />