Which term describes the absence of pigment resulting in white patches?

Which term describes the absence of pigment resulting in white patches?

• A. Hyperpigmentation
• B. Lesions
• C. PIE
• D. Hypopigmentation

Answer: (D)

Hypopigmentation is the absence or reduction of pigment in the skin, resulting in white patches. This happens when melanin production is decreased or melanocytes are less active in a given area, so those patches look lighter than surrounding skin. Hyperpigmentation, by contrast, is the development of darker patches due to excess melanin. Lesions refer to any abnormal skin changes and aren’t specific to pigment loss, and PIE stands for post-inflammatory erythema, which is redness after inflammation, not a pigment deficiency.

Hypopigmentation is the absence or reduction of pigment in the skin, resulting in white patches. This happens when melanin production is decreased or melanocytes are less active in a given area, so those patches look lighter than surrounding skin.

Hyperpigmentation, by contrast, is the development of darker patches due to excess melanin. Lesions refer to any abnormal skin changes and aren’t specific to pigment loss, and PIE stands for post-inflammatory erythema, which is redness after inflammation, not a pigment deficiency.