Utah Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What is the term for horseshoe pigmentation on the skin?

1. Melasma

2. Poikiloderma of Civatte

3. Chloasma

4. Telangiectasia

The correct answer is: Poikiloderma of Civatte

The term for horseshoe pigmentation on the skin is known as poikiloderma of Civatte. This condition is characterized by a distinctive pattern of pigmentation that often appears as a "horseshoe" shape on the neck and the upper chest area. It typically results from sun damage and other factors that cause an abnormal change in pigmentation, often accompanied by an atrophy of the skin and the presence of vascular changes. Melasma, chloasma, and telangiectasia refer to different skin conditions. Melasma is a hyperpigmentation condition primarily affecting the face, often related to hormonal changes and sun exposure. Chloasma is essentially another term for melasma and is not specifically tied to the horseshoe pattern. Telangiectasia involves the dilation of small blood vessels, resulting in visible red or purple lines on the skin, and does not refer to pigmentation patterns. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why poikiloderma of Civatte is the correct term for horseshoe pigmentation.