We describe a 77-year-old man who attended our department for investigations of sideropenia who incidentally was noted to have patches of slate grey skin pigmentation. The patient had been treated for folliculitis affecting his scalp for several years with minocycline. Appearances were suggestive of minocycline-induced pigmentation. We discuss the incidence, pathogenesis, clinical appearances and treatment of minocycline-induced pigmentation and suggest that in most instances of skin infections the use of tetracyclines is preferable.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
EisenDMinocycline-induced pigmentation incidenceHakim MD., prevention and management. Drug Saf 1998; 18:431–40.
2.
MehranyKJMKist,Ahmed DDF, Gibson LE. Minocycline-induced cutaneous pigmentation. Int J Dermatol 2003; 42:551–2.
3.
JohnstonAMemonAA.Mystery of the blue pigmentation. N Engl J Med 1999; 340:1597–8.
4.
(No author attributed.) Is Minocycline overused in acne? Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2006; 44:60–62.
