Diagnosis: Ochronosis
Description: Dark pigmentation
Morphology: Hyperpigmentation
Site: Cheek
Sex: F
Age: 25
Type: Clinical
Submitted By: Ted Rosen
Differential DiagnosisHistory:
Young Hispanic-American who developed melasma during pregnancy. She then applied 10% hydroquinone (obtained outside the United States) twice daily. At first, there was some improvement. Then, she noted the areas started becoming paradoxically darker. The darker the skin became, the more hydroquinone she applied! Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of exogenous ochronosis.