
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis is a dermatological disease that presents as small spots of depigmented skin, primarily on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the forearms. It affects both sexes, but appears to onset earlier in women. The precise cause of the condition is unknown, hence idiopathic, but it is likely related to damage of the skin’s pigment-producing melanocytes by sun exposure.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Physical Examination
Skin
Extremity
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Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
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Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kiran Singh, M.D. [2]

![Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/4/47/Idiopathic_guttate_hypomelanosis01.jpg)
![Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis. Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/f/ff/Idiopathic_guttate_hypomelanosis02.jpg)