Atrophie blanche
What is atrophie blanche?
Atrophie blanche is the name given to a particular type of scar arising on the lower leg. It occurs after a skin injury when the blood supply is poor. It may arise in association with:
- Livedoid vasculopathy
- Venous insufficiency
- Cutaneous small vessel vasculitis
- Diabetic vascular disease
- Any injury to the skin of an ageing lower leg, such as following cryotherapy or curettage and cautery in the treatment of skin cancers.
Atrophie blanche is characterised by:
- Star-shaped or polyangular, ivory-white depressed atrophic plaques
- Prominent red dots within the scar due to enlarged capillary blood vessels
- Surrounding pigmentation
