melasma

A patchy pigmentation of sun-exposed skin, seen most commonly in pregnancy. SEE ALSO: chloasma. [G. a black color, a black spot]

- m. gravidarum chloasma occurring in pregnancy.

- m. universale SYN: senile melanoderma.

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me·las·ma mə-'laz-mə n a dark pigmentation of the skin (as in Addison's disease)

me·las·mic -mik adj

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n.

see chloasma

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me·las·ma (mə-lazґmə) [Gr. melas black] melanosis with sharply demarcated brown macules, usually symmetrically on the face or neck, seen most often during pregnancy, at menopause, and in those taking oral contraceptives, and occasionally in other women or in men. It affects persons with light brown skin much more often than those with light skin. A similar condition is sometimes seen in chronic liver disease. Called also chloasma and mask of pregnancy.

Melasma.