9. Changes in Skin Color: Aesthetic and Diagnostic Indicators
As we delve deeper into the manifestations of EMPD, it’s crucial to address the changes in skin color that may occur. This symptom, like many others associated with EMPD, is tied to the changes happening within the skin due to the proliferation of Paget’s cells.
In most cases, the affected skin in EMPD might take on a reddish or eczema-like appearance. This is often one of the first symptoms that patients notice. However, as the disease progresses, the skin color may continue to evolve. The ongoing inflammation, coupled with the skin’s response to the multiplying Paget’s cells, can result in hyperpigmentation, where parts of the skin become darker.
Hyperpigmentation in EMPD is typically localized to the area where the disease is present. It may present as dark patches or spots that contrast with the surrounding healthy skin.
Another skin color change that patients might notice is a whitening of the skin, or leukoderma. This can occur due to the destruction of pigment-producing cells by the invading Paget’s cells. (9)
