Exogenous ochronosis in an elderly Indian male: A case report

Abstract

Exogenous ochronosis (EO) is an infrequent cutaneous disorder characterized by blue-black hue in the skin due to the deposition of small ochre-colored pigment in the dermis secondary to prolonged skin lightening agents or unprotected sun exposure. We describe a case of a 65-year-old male who presented to our hospital with a history of hydroquinone application for melasma and was diagnosed to have acquired ochronosis after subsequent extensive history taking, clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathological assessment. EO is not frequently reported as it is misdiagnosed as melasma in most of the Asian population. In such a situation, histopathological examination of the skin lesion remains a gold standard for diagnosis of the condition. EO is a cosmetic disfigurement over the face with unsatisfying treatment options.

Keywords

• Exogenous ochronosis
• hydroquinone
• hyperpigmentation
• maculopapules
• melasma