The changes had started about four years earlier and gradually increased in extent and depth of colour. The rash was symptomless and there were no other skin changes. The patient was well and was on no medication other than quinine, for night cramps.
Presentation and management
Drug-induced dyspigmentation could be due to the drug, or drug metabolite, being deposited in the dermis, enhanced production of melanin or postinflammatory skin changes.
A number of drugs might lead to blue/grey discoloration, in particular amiodarone, some chemotherapeutic agents, psychotropic drugs (including phenothiazines), heavy metals (including gold), tetracyclines, (including minocycline), and antimalarials. In this case, quinine, which may also be associated with photosensitivity, was thought to be the cause.
The discoloration develops insidiously over time in some patients on long-term therapy.
The best approach to treatment, if possible, is to discontinue the offending agent, after which the pigmentation will gradually resolve. The patient should be reminded that sun exposure is likely to increase the pigmentation and that sun protection should be used.
Where medication is essential, reducing the dosage of the drug may be helpful. Drug-induced dyspigmentation is not usually associated with any systemic toxicity but may cause the patient psychological distress.
Potential differential diagnoses
- Addison's disease
- Haemochromatosis
- Wilson's disease, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and cutaneous B-cell lymphoma
- Vasculitis
Differential diagnosis
Addison's disease
- Rare condition that can occur at any age and in either sex
- Due to severe or total lack of cortisol and aldosterone produced in the adrenal cortex
- Autoimmune disorder or associated with some chronic infections that can destroy the adrenal glands, such as TB
- Symptoms - slowly progressive, non-specific weakness, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting, and weight loss
- Skin hyperpigmentation or grey dyspigmentation, especially in sun-exposed areas and skin folds and creases
- Addisonian crisis - life-threatening emergency may be triggered by infection, sudden cessation of long-term systemic steroids, accident or surgery
- Symptoms of sudden onset of abdominal pain, vomiting and hypovolemic shock
- Investigations - check cortisol and aldosterone levels in blood and urine
- Treatment - oral hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone
- Addisonian crisis - urgent hydrocortisone in 0.9% sodium chloride IV infusion
- Contributed by Dr Jean Watkins, retired GP in Hants.
