10 Symptoms of Addison's Disease
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
Symptom #4: Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation or darkening of patches of skin can signify the presence of Addison’s disease. The parts of skin that are most prone to discoloration are those that are usually exposed to the sun which include the face, forearms and the elbows. Hyperpigmentation can also affect skin in other parts of the body such as the gums, nail beds and the labia.
Hyperpigmentation occurs due to overproduction of melanin, the pigmentation that gives skin color and is responsible for a tan when you spend a lot of time in the sun. Dark skin patches are some of the first symptoms of Addison’s disease that a doctor will notice.
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