Dowling-Degos Disease

Excerpt

Dowling-Degos disease (DDD) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder, classically characterized by acquired reticular hyperpigmentation in flexural sites. Onset is typically after puberty and commonly occurs in the third to fourth decade of life. Mutations in genes involved in melanosome trafficking and melanocyte and keratinocyte proliferation, differentiation, and cellular communications have all been implicated as etiologies. Hyperpigmentation is often recalcitrant to treatment, as evidenced by the varying success of topical and laser therapies.