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.
Melasma suprarenale
Introduction
OVerview
OVerview
Melasma suprarenale is Latin, meaning literally “darkening, (of) above the kidneys” which signifies that it is caused by disease in the adrenal glands (also known as “suprarenal glands”, and originally known as the “supra-renal capsules”).
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms
The condition most commonly causing the darkening of skin is known as Addison’s disease. The darkening may be brown or reddish, typically appearing in the creases of the palms, pressure areas of the body and the mouth. In Addison’s disease it is caused by excess production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which simultaneously releases a compound called melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH).
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]