Haemosiderin pigmentation of skin

Definition

Dermal haemosiderin deposition causes a yellowish-brown or bronze discolouration of the skin. The deposition may be focal as seen following repeated extravasation of red blood cells (e.g. in association with venous hypertension or chronic vasculitis) or from generalised iron overload (e.g. haemochromatosis). Haemosiderin may stimulate melanogenesis and thus the colour is due to variable proportions of haemosiderin and melanin.

Index Terms