Addison’s disease may present to a dermatologist as melasma

Authors

  • Arfan ul Bari
  • Tariq Mahmood

Keywords:

Addison’s disease, melasma, pigmentary disorders

Abstract

Addison’s disease is not a very common medical illness that can present to a dermatologist in different ways. It can start as an obvious pigmentary disorder or it may never involve skin. We present a case of a young male who reported to dermatology outdoor with a typical melasma-like eruption over his face. Shortly after this pigmentation, he started having generalized weakness, repeated vomiting and weight loss. He was evaluated by physician and turned out to be a case of Addison’s disease with melasma-like pigmentation. He was then managed accordingly.

References

Luken KK. Clinical manifestations and management of Addison's disease. J Am Acad Nurse Pract 1999; 11: 151-4.

Zargar AH, Laway BA, Masoodi SR et al.. A critical evaluation of signs and symptoms in the diagnosis of Addison's diseases. J Assoc Physicians India 2001; 49: 523-6.

Stulberg DL, Clark N, Tovey D. Common hyperpigmentation disorders in adults: Part I. Diagnostic approach, cafe au lait macules, diffuse hyperpigmentation, sun exposure, and phototoxic reactions. Am Fam Physician 2003; 68: 1955-60.

Grinspoon SK, Biller BM. Clinical review 62: Laboratory assessment of adrenal insufficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1994; 79: 923-31.

Villabona CM, Sahun M, Ricart W et al. Tuberculous Addison's disease. Utility of CT in diagnosis and follow-up. Eur J Radiol 1993; 17: 210-3

Oelkers W. Dehydroepiandrosterone for adrenal insufficiency. N Engl J Med 1999; 341: 1073-4.

Strakosch CR, Gordon RD. Early diagnosis of Addison's disease; pigmentation as sole symptom. Aust N Z J Med 1978; 8: 189-90.

Runcie CJ, Semple CG, Slater SD. Addison's disease without pigmentation. Scott Med J 1986; 31: 111-2.

Wickless SC, Shwayder TA. A medical mystery. N Engl J Med 2004; 351:1547-7.

Biswas R, Shenoy D, Bharadwaj A et al. A blackening lady-case report. Nepal Med Coll J 2004; 6: 67-8.

Downloads

Published

2017-01-03

How to Cite

1.
Bari A ul, Mahmood T. Addison’s disease may present to a dermatologist as melasma. J Pak Assoc Dermatol [Internet]. 2017Jan.3 [cited 2026Mar.19];16(1):56-9. Available from: https://www.jpad.com.pk/index.php/jpad/article/view/848

Issue

Section

Case Reports

Most read articles by the same author(s)

<< < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > >>