Journals / Dicle Tıp Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 53 Sayı: 3

A Case of Terra Firma-Forme Developing on Linea Nigra

Linea Nigra Zemininde Gelişen Terra Firma-Forme Olgusu

Mert Burak Yıldırım(HİTİT ÜNİVERSİTESİ, TIP FAKÜLTESİ)
Semanur Demirlendi(Hitit Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi)
Engin Şenel(Hitit Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi)
Pages
753–755
Publication Date
2026-09-11
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

There is no strong evidence in the literature to suggest that terra firma–forme dermatosis is a pregnancy-specific dermatosis or that it is directly associated with hormonal changes.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Linea nigra is an asymptomatic dermatosis characterized by linear hyperpigmentation extending along the midline from the symphysis pubis to the xiphoid process, typically emerging during pregnancy.
📊
Key Findings & Data:A 26-year-old woman presented with dark brown to black lesions around the umbilical area that had persisted for two months postpartum and could not be removed with regular washing.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:There is no strong evidence in the literature to suggest that terra firma–forme dermatosis is a pregnancy-specific dermatosis or that it is directly associated with hormonal changes.
🔬Design:Olgu Sunumu
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Terra Firma-Forme · Linea Nigra · Hiperpigmentasyon

Abstract

Linea nigra is an asymptomatic dermatosis characterized by linear hyperpigmentation extending along the midline from the symphysis pubis to the xiphoid process, typically emerging during pregnancy. Terra firma-forme dermatosis, on the other hand, is characterized by brown pigmented macules and patches that cannot be removed with soap and water but are easily cleared with alcohol; it is mostly seen in children and adolescents. In this report, we present a rare case of terra firma-forme developing along the linea nigra in the postpartum period. A 26-year-old woman presented with dark brown to black lesions around the umbilical area that had persisted for two months postpartum and could not be removed with regular washing. During physical examination, the lesions were largely cleared by wiping with 60% ethyl alcohol, confirming the diagnosis. This case is noteworthy as it demonstrates that terra firma-forme can develop in the linea nigra region during the postpartum period. There is no strong evidence in the literature to suggest that terra firma–forme dermatosis is a pregnancy-specific dermatosis or that it is directly associated with hormonal changes.

Özet

Linea nigra, gebelikte ortaya çıkan ve orta hatta simfizis pubisten ksifoide kadar uzanabilen lineer hiperpigmentasyon ile karakterize, asemptomatik bir dermatozdur. Terra firma-forme ise, su ve sabunla temizlenemeyen ancak alkol ile silindiğinde kolayca uzaklaştırılabilen, kahverengi pigmente makül ve yamalarla seyreden, genellikle çocuk ve ergenlerde görülen bir dermatozdur. Bu yazıda, postpartum dönemde linea nigra hizasında gelişen nadir bir terra firma-forme olgusu sunulmuştur. Yirmi altı yaşındaki kadın hasta, doğumdan sonra iki aydır devam eden, su ve sabunla temizlenemeyen, göbek çevresinde koyu kahverengi ve siyah renkli lezyonlar şikayetiyle başvurdu. Lezyonlar fizik muayene sırasında %60 etil alkol ile silinerek büyük oranda temizlendi. Bu durum, tanının doğrulanmasını sağladı. Bu olgu, postpartum dönemde linea nigra çevresinde terra firma-forme gelişebileceğini göstermesi açısından dikkat çekicidir. Literatürde terra firma-forme dermatozun gebeliğe özgü bir dermatoz olduğuna veya hormonal değişikliklerle doğrudan ilişkili olduğuna dair güçlü veri bulunmamaktadır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Yıldırım, M. B., Şenel, E. (2026). A Case of Terra Firma-Forme Developing on Linea Nigra. Dicle Tıp Dergisi, Cilt: 53 Sayı: 3, 753–755. https://doi.org/10.5798/dicletip.2037445

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (12)

  1. George AO, Shittu OB, Enwerem E, et al. Theincidence of lower mid-trunk hyperpigmentation(linea nigra) is affected by sex hormone levels. J NatlMed Assoc. 2005 May;97(5):685–8.
  2. Kar S, Krishnan A, Shivkumar PV. Pregnancy andSkin. The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ofIndia. 2012 Jun 28;62(3):268–75.
  3. Duncan WC. Terra Firma-Forme Dermatosis. ArchDermatol. 1987 May 1;123(5):567.
  4. Cohen PR. Linea Nigra: Case Report of a WomanWith a Pregnancy-Associated Linear Streak ofCutaneous Hyperpigmentation on Her Abdomen Fromthe Umbilicus to the Pubic Symphysis. Cureus. 2023Nov;15(11):e48408.
  5. Berk DR. Terra firma-forme dermatosis: aretrospective review of 31 patients. Pediatr Dermatol.2012;29(3):297–300.
  6. Kim D, Lee H, Kim YC. Penile Terra Firma-FormeDermatosis: A Report of Two Cases. Ann Dermatol.2023 Nov;35(Suppl 2):S352–4.
  7. Kutlubay Z, Engin B, Bairamov O, et al. Acanthosisnigricans: A fold (intertriginous) dermatosis. ClinDermatol. 2015;33(4):466–70.
  8. Seghers AC, Lee JSS, Tan CS, et al. Atopic dirty neckor acquired atopic hyperpigmentation? Anepidemiological and clinical study from the NationalSkin Centre in Singapore. Dermatology.2014;229(3):174–82.
  9. Scheinfeld N. Confluent and reticulatedpapillomatosis: a review of the literature. Am J ClinDermatol. 2006;7(5):305–13.
  10. Liu Z, Zhou Y, Chen RY, et al. Symmetricalacrokeratoderma: A peculiar entity in China?Clinicopathologic and immunopathologic study of 34new cases. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Mar;70(3):533–8.
  11. Mohta A, Sarkar R, Narayan RV, et al. Terra Firma-Forme Dermatosis—More Than Just Dirty. IndianDermatol Online J. 2024 Jan;15(1):99–104.
  12. Muzaffar F, Hussain I, Haroon TS. Physiologic skinchanges during pregnancy: a study of 140 cases. Int JDermatol. 1998 Jun;37(6):429–31.