Berloque Dermatitis Medication

  • Author: Ali Alikhan, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 14, 2010
 

Medication Summary

Medical therapy is largely unnecessary for the treatment of berloque dermatitis, except in cases with persistent hyperpigmentation. In these cases, skin-bleaching agents (eg, hydroquinone) are the mainstays of therapy.

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Depigmenting agents

Class Summary

Skin bleaching agents are indicated for the gradual depigmentation of hyperpigmented skin conditions.

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Hydroquinone (Claripel cream with sunscreens)

 

Produces reversible depigmentation of skin by inhibiting enzymatic oxidation of tyrosine to 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-alanine (dopa)) and suppression of other melanocyte metabolic processes. Exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light will cause repigmentation, which may be prevented by the broad-spectrum sunscreen agents contained in this product.

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Hydroquinone (Eldopaque-Forte, Solaquin Forte, Lustra)

 

Indicated for the gradual bleaching of hyperpigmented skin conditions such as chloasma, melasma, freckles, senile lentigines, and other unwanted areas of melanin hyperpigmentation. Also is used to reduce hyperpigmentation caused by photosensitization associated with inflammation or with the use of certain perfumes (berloque dermatitis).

Topical application of hydroquinone produces a reversible depigmentation of the skin by inhibition of the enzymatic oxidation of tyrosine to 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) and suppression of other melanocyte metabolic processes. Depigmentation may take 1-4 mo to occur while existing melanin is sloughed off and excretion of new melanin is increased by hydroquinone. Exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light will cause repigmentation, which may be prevented by broad-spectrum sunscreen agents.

Available topically, in strengths of 2-4%, in the form of a cream, lotion, solution, powder, or gel.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Ali Alikhan, MD  Resident Physician, University of Chicago, MacNeal Hospital

Ali Alikhan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Student Association/Foundation, Islamic Medical Association of North America, and Student National Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Ai-Lean Chew, MBChB, MRCP  Honorary Consultant, St John's Institute of Dermatology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust, UK and Locum Consultant, South London Healthcare NHS Trust, UK

Ai-Lean Chew, MBChB, MRCP, is a member of the following medical societies: British Association of Dermatologists, British Medical Association, and Royal Society of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Howard I Maibach, MD  Professor and Vice Chairperson, Department of Dermatology, University of California School of Medicine at San Francisco; Consulting Staff, University of California Hospitals

Howard I Maibach, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Forensic Examiners, American College of Physicians, American Contact Dermatitis Society, American Dermatological Association, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, California Medical Association, Pacific Dermatologic Association, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Marjan Garmyn, MD, PhD  Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium; Chair and Adjunct Head, Department of Dermatology, University of Leuven, Belgium

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David F Butler, MD  Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Edward F Chan, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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