Symptoms and Treatment For Lentigines
What is Lentigines?
Lentigo is a discolored patch of skin that occurs mainly due to sun exposure. It is harmless and normally occurs in middle-aged people and the elderly. It is not moles that lead to skin cancer but is basically inherited from the family. The alternate names include leopard syndrome, multiple lentigines syndrome and lentigines solar.
What Causes Lentigines?
Lentigines are inherited from the chromosomes. People who are affected will have an increased number of lentigines and are mostly seen on the neck and trunk. Affected people will have hypertelorism – wide-set-eyes, partial nerve deafness and birthmarks that are light brown in color. Changes in ECG are common in these people. They also might have cryptorchidism – abnormal genitals, delay in puberty and hypogonadism.
What are the Lentigines Symptoms?
The lesions increase as you grow older and hence this is more common with elderly persons and persons of middle age. The sizes of these lesions vary from 0.2 cm to 2 cm. They are flat with dark borders and are irregular in shape.
The following are common symptoms:
• Multiple lentigines syndrome exist in family.
• Ears that are prominent.
• Having pigeon chest i.e. a chest condition wherein the sternum is prominent.
• Hypertelorism wherein the distance between the eyes is abnormally wide.
• Trunk and neck having multiple lentigines.
How to Treat Lentigines?
Lentigines are not dangerous to the health and do not require any treatment. However, people would like to have cosmetic treatments; some of these treatments include cryotherapy, retinoids, hydroquinone preparations, lasers and chemical peels.
The following treatments are also useful:
• Sunspots can be treated effectively using vitamin C. This works better in conjunction with ??hydroxy acids.
• Another treatment that is successful ??hydroxy acids peel. Apply to the skin a mild acid and allow it to heal. The chemical peels are most effective on people with light hair and blue eyes. It can also work on other people.
How to Prevent Lentigines?
• Always use sunscreen.
• If you are a prospective parent with multiple lentigines syndrome in your family, it is recommened to undergo genetic counseling.
• In order to avoid exposure to sun, wear hats, long sleeves, etc.
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