Content area
Abstract
The term "acral" means the distal portions of the limbs (hand, foot) and the head (ears, nose). The term acral melanosis is loosely applied to an increase in melanin pigmentation, in a diffuse, reticulate, or focal pattern over the distal parts of the arms and legs. There are various causes of acral pigmentation varying from genetic to acquired, benign to malignant, autoimmune to infectious, drug-induced, nutritional deficiencies, postinflammatory, and even exogenous reasons. The pigmentation may be occurring in isolation or associated with various systemic features. An earlier age of the onset of pigmentation, a positive family history, and a reticulate or mottled pattern usually point to a genetic cause. The diffuse pattern of pigmentation is usually seen in racial, endocrine diseases, and nutritional deficiencies. Postinflammatory acral pigmentation may follow both infectious and autoimmune diseases and may even be drug induced. A correct diagnosis is important to decide on the management which varies from reassurance and counseling to active treatment. This review paper is an attempt to classify acral pigmentation based on its diverse etiological causes.