I have redness of the neck and was told it is poikiloderma. What is this?

Poikiloderma of Civatte is the full name of the condition and is noted as a chronic reddish-brown discoloration of the lateral cheeks and/or neck. The term poikiloderma refers to atrophy of skin, telangectasias within the skin, and skin pigment changes (hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation). It is a benign condition and is most often found in fair-skinned women. There are several potential factors that may cause this condition, including hormonal changes, UV light exposure, and hereditary predisposition. There are several potential treatment options to minimize the appearance of the redness of the skin; these treatment options include intense pulse light, pulsed dye laser, KTP laser, and fractionated lasers.

Posted by Rami K. Batniji, M.D., F.A.C.S.