In people with darker skin, an acute rash can be followed by chronic pigment that is slow to resolve, as seen here. Darkening of the skin in an area that was previously inflamed is common. This image displays post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark flat marks left after a skin problem has healed). Dark skin spots often follow acne lesions in black patients. This image displays deep skin darkening following a skin rash. This image displays a patient that was infected by both chickenpox (the small circles) and a staph infection (the large circles). This image displays darker color (pigment) in areas that had acne previously, which takes longer to heal in people with darker skin. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation may look almost purple-brown in darker-skinned individuals and take months to fade on the lower legs.
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Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation:
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Picture of Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: In people with darker skin, an acute rash can be followed by chronic pigment that is slow to resolve, as seen here. Divider line
In people with darker skin, an acute rash can be followed by chronic pigment that is slow to resolve, as seen here.
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Signs and Symptoms
One or more areas of darker brown or sometimes red-brown discoloration. The appearance varies in size, shape, and location depending upon the cause of skin injury. Acne tends to leave light to dark brown spots on the face or trunk. Burns, insect bites, cuts, or scrapes often affect exposed areas on the arms and legs.
Last Modified: 29 Feb 2008

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