eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Photo-Related Diseases

Riehl Melanosis: Treatment & Medication

Author: Helena A Longin, MD, Resident Physician, Department of Dermatology, Naval Medical Center San Diego
Coauthor(s): Elizabeth Kline Satter, MD, MPH, Chairman, Department of Dermatology, Naval Medical Center San Diego
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Mar 18, 2009

Treatment

Medical Care

  • Complete avoidance of the suspected allergen is necessary, and removal of these agents often leads to gradual improvement.
  • Consider use allergen-free apparel, soaps, and cosmetics

Consultations

  • Referral for cosmetic camouflage may be suggested if the cosmetic disability is distressing to the patient.

Medication

  • In some situations, topical creams containing 2-5% hydroquinone combined with tretinoin may hasten the resolution of the hyperpigmentation. Glycolic acid has also been reported as helpful.25

More on Riehl Melanosis

Overview: Riehl Melanosis
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Riehl Melanosis
Treatment & Medication: Riehl Melanosis
Follow-up: Riehl Melanosis
References
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References

  1. Riehl G. Uber eine eigenartige melanose. Wien Klin Wochensschr. 1917;30:280-1.

  2. Rorsman H. Riehl's melanosis. Int J Dermatol. Mar 1982;21(2):75-8. [Medline].

  3. Nakayama H. Pigmented Contact Dermatitis and Chemical Depigmentation. In: Rycroft R, Menne T, Frosch P, Lepoittevin J, eds. Textbook of Contact Dermatitis. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Springer; 2001:319-333.

  4. Shenoi SD, Rao R. Pigmented contact dermatitis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. Sep-Oct 2007;73(5):285-7. [Medline].

  5. Findlay GH. Some observations on the melanosis of Riehl. S Afr Med J. May 3 1952;26(18):373-5. [Medline].

  6. Osmundsen PE. Pigmented contact dermatitis. Br J Dermatol. Aug 1970;83(2):296-301. [Medline].

  7. Nakayama H, Harada R, Toda M. Pigmented cosmetic dermatitis. Int J Dermatol. Nov 1976;15(9):673-5. [Medline].

  8. Nakayama H, Matsuo S, Hayakawa K, Takhashi K, Shigematsu T, Ota S. Pigmented cosmetic dermatitis. Int J Dermatol. Jun 1984;23(5):299-305. [Medline].

  9. Imokawa G, Kawai M. Differential hypermelanosis induced by allergic contact dermatitis. J Invest Dermatol. Dec 1987;89(6):540-6. [Medline].

  10. Ebihara T, Nakayama H. Pigmented contact dermatitis. Clin Dermatol. Jul-Aug 1997;15(4):593-9. [Medline].

  11. Hayakawa R, Matsunaga K, Arima Y. Airborne pigmented contact dermatitis due to musk ambrette in incense. Contact Dermatitis. Feb 1987;16(2):96-8. [Medline].

  12. Pires MC, Manoel Silva dos Reis V, Mitelmann R, Moreira F. Pigmented contact dermatitis due to Plathymenia foliosa dust. Contact Dermatitis. Jun 1999;40(6):339. [Medline].

  13. Fujimoto K, Hashimoto S, Kozuka T, Tashiro M, Sano S. Occupational pigmented contact dermatitis from azo-dyes. Contact Dermatitis. Jan 1985;12(1):15-7. [Medline].

  14. el Sayed F, Manzur F, Bazex J. Pigmented contact dermatitis from cosmetics. Contact Dermatitis. Feb 1995;32(2):111. [Medline].

  15. Kozuka T, Tashiro M, Sano S, et al. Brilliant Lake Red R as a cause of pigmented contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis. Sep 1979;5(5):297-304. [Medline].

  16. Sugai T, Takahashi Y, Takagi T. Pigmented cosmetic dermatitis and coal tar dyes. Contact Dermatitis. Oct 1977;3(5):249-56. [Medline].

  17. Leow YH, Tan SH, Ng SK. Pigmented contact cheilitis from ricinoleic acid in lipsticks. Contact Dermatitis. Jul 2003;49(1):48-9. [Medline].

  18. Nath AK, Thappa DM. Kumkum-induced dermatitis: an analysis of 46 cases. Clin Exp Dermatol. Jul 2007;32(4):385-7. [Medline].

  19. Parodi G, Guarrera M, Rebora A. Lichenoid photocontact dermatitis to musk ambrette. Contact Dermatitis. Mar 1987;16(3):136-8. [Medline].

  20. Naganuma M, Hirose S, Nakayama Y, Nakajima K, Someya T. A study of the phototoxicity of lemon oil. Arch Dermatol Res. 1985;278(1):31-6. [Medline].

  21. Serrano G, Pujol C, Cuadra J, Gallo S, Aliaga A. Riehl's melanosis: pigmented contact dermatitis caused by fragrances. J Am Acad Dermatol. Nov 1989;21(5 Pt 2):1057-60. [Medline].

  22. Ozkaya-Bayazit E, Buyukbabani N. Non-eczematous pigmented interface dermatitis from para-tertiary-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin in a watchstrap adhesive. Contact Dermatitis. Jan 2001;44(1):45-6. [Medline].

  23. Trattner A, David M. Pigmented contact dermatitis from topical minoxidil 5%. Contact Dermatitis. Apr 2002;46(4):246. [Medline].

  24. Miyoshi K, Kodama H. Riehl's melanosis-like eruption associated with Sjogren's syndrome. J Dermatol. Dec 1997;24(12):784-6. [Medline].

  25. Perez-Bernal A, Munoz-Perez MA, Camacho F. Management of facial hyperpigmentation. Am J Clin Dermatol. Sep-Oct 2000;1(5):261-8. [Medline].

  26. Kobori T, Araki, Toda K. Photoleukomelanodermatitis (Kobori) caused by benzothiazidiazine derivatives. Jap J Dermatol. 1966;76:665.

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Further Reading

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Keywords

Riehl melanosis, Riehl's melanosis, pigmented contact dermatitis, pigmented cosmetic dermatitis, melanosis faciei feminae, erythroderma exfoliativa recidivans faciei, lichen ruber planus cum pigmentatione, melanodermatitis toxica.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Helena A Longin, MD, Resident Physician, Department of Dermatology, Naval Medical Center San Diego
Helena A Longin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Elizabeth Kline Satter, MD, MPH, Chairman, Department of Dermatology, Naval Medical Center San Diego
Elizabeth Kline Satter, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Medical Women's Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

John D Wilkinson, MD, MBBS, MRCS, FRCP, Chairman, Clinical Director, Department of Dermatology, Amersham Hospital and High Wycombe Hospital, UK
John D Wilkinson, MD, MBBS, MRCS, FRCP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Royal College of Physicians
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Richard P Vinson, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA
Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Paul Krusinski, MD, Director of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Fletcher Allen Health Care, University of Vermont
Paul Krusinski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Brown University
Catherine 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.

 
 
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