Leukoderma

What is leukoderma?

Leukoderma is the name given to white patches on the skin. These patches are due to the partial or total loss of skin pigmentation or depigmentation. 

Leukoderma is sometimes spelled leucoderma. It is also called achromoderma.

Piebaldism

Vitiligo

Halo mole

There are many causes of leukoderma, some of which include:

• Congenital
  • Tuberous sclerosis
  • Partial albinism
  • Piebaldism and Waardenburg syndrome
  • Naevus depigmentosus
• Immunological
  • Vitiligo
  • Melanoma-associated vitiligo/leukoderma
  • Halo naevus
• Post-inflammatory
  • Thermal burns
  • Dermatitis (eczema)
  • Psoriasis
  • Cutaneous lupus erythematosus
  • Lichen sclerosus
• Infection
  • Pityriasis versicolor
  • Leprosy
  • Lichen planus
  • Syphilis
  • Progressive macular hypopigmentation 
• Drugs
  • EGFR inhibitors
  • Immune checkpoint inhibitors (pembrolizumab, nivolumab)
  • Intralesional steroid injections
  • Methylphenidate transdermal patch
• Occupational/chemical
  • Exposure to depigmentation agents, such as p-tertiary butyl phenol
  • Leukoderma occurs on the exposed parts of the body, but other areas not necessarily in contact with the chemicals may also be affected
  • Depigmented areas may continue to arise even after the patient is no longer in contact with the chemicals
  • Repigmentation may or may not occur
• Other
• Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
• Alopecia mucinosa