Which term describes the skin condition associated with hyperpigmentation during pregnancy?

The term that describes the skin condition associated with hyperpigmentation during pregnancy is melasma. This condition is characterized by the development of brown or gray-brown patches on the skin, particularly on the face. Hormonal changes, especially those that occur during pregnancy, can trigger melasma, leading to the increased production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.

Melasma is commonly called the "mask of pregnancy," as it often appears on the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip, mimicking the appearance of a mask. While it can affect anyone, it is most frequently observed in women, particularly during pregnancy or while taking oral contraceptives, due to the influence of estrogen and progesterone on melanin production.

Although chloasma is sometimes used interchangeably with melasma, it is more specific to the condition occurring during pregnancy. Melanoma, on the other hand, is a serious form of skin cancer, and albinism is a genetic condition characterized by a lack of melanin, leading to very light skin and hair.