Dark or pale skin color can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'worrying' to 'generally fatal'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.
Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose dark or pale skin color, we could:
Cause | Probability | Status |
---|---|---|
Melanoma | 96% | Confirm |
Pyroluria | 26% | Unlikely |
Adrenal Fatigue | 17% | Unlikely |
Zinc Need | 1% | Ruled out |
Anemia | 1% | Ruled out |
Vitamin B12 Need | 0% | Ruled out |
Hemochromatosis | 0% | Ruled out |
Kidney Disease | 0% | Ruled out |
What is your skin color prior to suntan, compared to others of your race, or family members?
Possible responses:
→ Significantly lighter/paler→ A little lighter/paler → Average / don't know → A little darker/redder → Significantly darker/redder |
Excessive skin pigmentation (bronzing) is present in more than 90% of symptomatic patients at the time of diagnosis. Deposition of iron within the skin causes inflammation and enhances melanin production by melanocytes. Patients usually notice a generalized increased pigmentation and occasionally notice that they tan very easily. This is due to ultraviolet light exposure and iron acting synergistically to induce skin pigmentation. Fair-skinned persons, who usually tan poorly, may never develop hyperpigmentation despite large iron burdens. Ethnically dark-complexioned patients (for example, people of Mediterranean descent) can develop a striking almond-colored hue. With particularly heavy iron overload, visible iron deposits sometimes appear in the skin as a grayish discoloration.
Pale skin is a possible symptom of kidney disease.
Pale skin, often with a lemon tint, can be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Darkening of the skin all over the body is a symptom of zinc deficiency.