Lentigo treated by Sepia officinalis – A case report

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Lentigo is a benign pigmented macular lesion on the skin with a clearly defined margin. It can affect both genders, all ages and races. Solar lentigines are especially prevalent in fair-skinned adults. Sunburn may be one of the causes of lentigo. Modern medicine treats these conditions by either melanin-specific high-energy lasers or external applications. Case Summary: A 56-year-old female visited outpatient department with a complaint of lentigo on the right cheek for the past 15 years. The patient was treated with Sepia officinalis in increasing potencies (200, 1M and 10M). The treatment got completed over 9 months with significant improvement and complete disappearance of lentigo. The cases were documented with proper photographs at onset and during treatment. It can be suggested from this case study that high dilutions of homoeopathic medicines are useful for patients with lentigo. Abstract Lentigo is small, sharply, circumscribed, macular, pigmented and mucocutaneous lesions which measure 1–5 mm, but not larger than 1 cm, surrounded by normal skin. Histologically, hyperplasia of the epidermis may be observed as well as increased pigmentation of the basal layer and a variable number of melanocytes. [1] “Black solar lentigo” is a melanotic macula, that may evolve slowly over several years or they may be eruptive, appearing rather suddenly. [2,3] commonly found in fair-skinned individuals on sun-exposed areas of the body. Clinically, the term “ink spot Lentigo” is used and it is a dark pigmented spot [4] and the colour ranges from brown to brown and black to black and the pigmentation may be homogeneous or variegated. However, the case reported here is typically an ink spot lentigo which is a unique type that appears among several other common solar lentigines. [5] Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, solar lentigos and melasma come under the category of hyperpigmentation and occur widely in the human population and are thus of broad interest for control. Pigmentation of the skin is primarily related to melanocyte functionality, but the surrounding keratinocytes and extracellular matrix proteins and fibroblasts in the underlying dermal compartment also actively contribute to cutaneous homeostasis. [6] There are potentially hundreds of proteins and other effectors involved in pigmentation based on a genomic and proteomic understanding of the melanocyte and melanogenesis. [7] Introduction: Lentigo is a benign pigmented macular lesion on the skin with a clearly defined margin. It can affect both genders, all ages and races. Solar lentigines are especially prevalent in fair-skinned adults. Sunburn may be one of the causes of lentigo. Modern medicine treats these conditions by either melanin-specific high-energy lasers or external applications. Case Summary: A 56-year-old female visited outpatient department with a complaint of lentigo on the right cheek for the past 15 years. The patient was treated with Sepia officinalis in increasing potencies (200, 1M and 10M). The treatment got completed over 9 months with significant improvement and complete disappearance of lentigo. The cases were documented with proper photographs at onset and during treatment. It can be suggested from this case study that high dilutions of homoeopathic medicines are useful for patients with lentigo. Abstract: Introduction: Lentigo ist eine gutartige pigmentierte makuläre Läsion auf der Haut mit einem klar definierten Rand. Sie kann beide Geschlechter, alle Altersgruppen und Rassen betreffen. Sonnenlentigines treten besonders häufig bei hellhäutigen Erwachsenen auf. Sonnenbrand kann eine der Ursachen für Lentigo sein. Die moderne Medizin behandelt diese Erkrankungen entweder mit melaninspezifischen Hochenergielasern oder mit externen Anwendungen. Zusammenfassung des Falls: Eine 56 Jahre alte Frau kam in die Notaufnahme und klagte über Lentigo auf der rechten Wange, die seit 15 Jahren besteht. Die Patientin wurde mit Sepia officinalis in steigenden Potenzen (200, 1M und 10M) behandelt. Die Behandlung dauerte neun Monate und führte zu einer deutlichen Verbesserung und zum vollständigen Verschwinden der Lentigo. Die Fälle wurden mit entsprechenden Fotos zu Beginn und während der Behandlung dokumentiert. Aus dieser Fallstudie kann geschlossen werden, dass hohe Verdünnungen homöopathischer Arzneimittel für Patienten mit Lentigo nützlich sind.