Melasma of the forearms

Melasma of the forearms seems to be a relatively common sign which is, to our knowledge, not reported in the literature. It seems that it may be more common in older patients and especially in postmenopausal women on supplementary oestrogen. The pigmentary change is macular and may be confluent or speckled. Like facial chloasma there is a sharp line of demarcation at the margins. In some, there seems to be an element of erythema.