The skin serves as a protective covering for your body as it shields you from outside elements. It is composed of three layers: the epidermis, dermis and hypodermal layer. The outer part of your skin (epidermis) contains cells called melanocytes that are responsible for making a pigment called melanin. This pigment is found in your skin. There are certain medical problems that alter your melanocytes and subsequently change your skin color.
Albinism
According to the Mayo Clinic, albinism is a genetically inherited disease in which you produce little to no melanin. Specific manifestations of albinism include very white skin, sun sensitivity (photosensitivity), freckles and de-pigmented moles. You may have yellow, red or brown hair if you are African American or Asian. In some cases, your eye color may be brown or light blue and can alter as you get older. Albinism can also affect your vision. It can lead to nearsightedness (cannot see distant objects) or farsightedness (cannot see things that are near). Albinism can cause strabismus, a condition in which your eye movements are not uniform. In other words, one eye may look another direction while you look straight ahead. Albinism can also lead to nystagmus, an eye problem in which your eyes involuntary shift back and forth.
Unfortunately, the Mayo Clinic says that treatment for albinism is limited because it is an inherited disease. However, your doctor can refer you to an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) to get a special prescription. He can also perform surgeries on your eyes to correct nystagmus or strabismus.
Melasma
MedlinePlus says that melasma is a condition in which your skin darkens as a result of sun-exposure, birth control pills or hormonal replacement therapies. Typically, melasma's only physical manifestation is brown-colored skin on your nose, upper lip, cheeks and forehead. Your doctor can prescribe medicines such as tretinoin, azelaic acid or kojic acid cream to apply to the discolored regions of your face. Sometimes, your doctor may prescribe topical steroid creams. Laser treatments and chemical peels are other available options for melasma treatment.
Vitiligo
The Mayo Clinic says that vitiligo is a disease in which you lose melanin in your skin, eyes and hair. Symptoms of vitiligo include white or beige patches on your skin, white or gray eyelashes, beard or eyebrows; changes in your eye color and decreased pigmentation of your oral (of the mouth) mucus membranes. The Mayo Clinic says that there are three types of vitiligo: focal, segmental and generalized. Focal vitligo only affects a few regions of your body. Segmental vitiligo affects one side of your body and generalized vitiligo affects most of your body. Treatment for vitiligo includes such medications as topical corticosteroid treatment, topical psoralen plus ultraviolet A treatment and depigmentation treatment in which you completely depigment your body to make your skin color uniform. Tattooing and skin grafts are other treatment methods for vitiligo.
