CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF MELASMA IN ASRAM MEDICAL COLLEGE, ELURU.

Melasma is a chronic localized acquired disorder of hyper melanosis of the skin, characterized by irregular brown hyper pigmented macules symmetrically distributed on sun exposed areas of the body particularly on the face. It is one of the most  commonpigmentary disorders of the skin , which needs dermatalogical care that effects mainly women particularly during the menacme and more pigmented pheno types ( Fitzpatrick skin types III to V).   Due to it’s frequent facial involvement the disease has an impact on the quality of life of patients. It’s pathogenesis is complex which is not yet completely understood and involves inter play of  various precipitating factors   such as genetic, sun exposure,  Pregnancy, hormonal, photosensitizing drugs and cosmetics. Melasma is also associated with clear genetic predisposition since over 40% of patients reported having a clear-cut family history of melasma .  In this study the main clinical and epidemiological aspects of melasma are studied.