types of melanin - #13948
I am really confused about this whole thing with types of melanin. My daughter, who's 10, has been complaining about her skin looking darker in some spots lately, and we thought it might just be the sun, you know, beach days and all that. But after doing some digging online, I found out that there are different types of melanin—like eumelanin and pheomelanin. Honestly, I had no clue there were even types of melanin! Is that why her skin’s acting weird? I mean, my husband and I have lighter skin, but she’s got a darker complexion. I read that eumelanin is the one that gives dark coloring, and that started making me wonder if there's more to this than just sun exposure. Could her body be producing too much eumelanin? Or maybe the pheomelanin is playing a role too? It’s kinda stressing me out since I want to make sure she’s okay. Should we see a dermatologist or just keep an eye on it? Trying to figure out if we’re overreacting or if there’s something we should be concerned about. Anyone have similar experiences with types of melanin? What should we do about it?
100% Anonymously
No sign-up needed.

Doctors’ responses
Melanin is indeed categorized into different types, with eumelanin and pheomelanin being the primary ones. Eumelanin is usually responsible for brown and black colors in hair and skin, while pheomelanin imparts reddish-yellow hues. The balance and quantity of these pigments can vary greatly among individuals, contributing to a wide range of skin tones and incidental variations, like freckles or age spots. Your daughter’s darker patches could be due to increased melanin production in response to sun exposure, a common reaction that can lead to hyperpigmentation. It’s not necessarily an imbalance in eumelanin versus pheomelanin but rather how the skin cells are responding to different stimuli. Given that it’s summertime, it’s reasonable to consider that sun exposure could be the culprit. Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen and ensuring she wears protective clothing could help manage this. However, if the change is significant, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms like itching or growth, it would be wise to consult a dermatologist. Sometimes, conditions like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or melasma can cause similar symptoms and benefit from medical evaluation. The doctor can assess if further investigation or treatment is warranted, perhaps through topical treatments or lifestyle modifications. Monitoring her skin for any rapid changes would be prudent as part of the routine care. So, keeping an eye on it is good, but don’t hesitate to seek professional advice if her skin’s appearance changes significantly or causes her discomfort.
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
About our doctors
Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.