Many different conditions can cause discolored skin patches. Some forms of skin discoloration are entirely normal, such as freckles or birthmarks. On top of being great for discoloration, they can also help with acne and other chronic skin conditions. This discoloration happens when the body comes into contact with excessive amounts of silver. As we age, our skin changes. Regardless of skin type or the cause of discoloration, patients with uneven skin tone universally benefit from a comprehensive skin care plan. Cuts and scrapes may become infected when bacteria enter the wound, resulting in a skin infection. Last medically reviewed on April 15, 2016. Unwanted discoloration and dark spots that develop over time are another story. Skin discoloration or hyperpigmentation can develop over time due to a variety of factors, from sun exposure to aging. Potential treatments for this skin discoloration include topical (applied on the skin) bleaching agents, such as hydroquinone, and laser treatments. This may reduce the appearance of discolored skin patches in six to eight weeks. All rights reserved. For example, it can be a result of excessive exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays, or it can be a natural side effect of aging. What’s Causing White Spots on My Face and How Can I Treat Them? The condition can cause scaly patches and red bumps that ooze or crust over. Lasers offer a variety of benefits for the skin. Actinic keratosis is a fairly common skin condition. Laser treatment effectiveness can also be a concern for those with certain skin cancers and a history of plastic surgeries. Treatment Guide; Discoloration; Discoloration. Swelling around the area affected by skin discoloration; Itching; Throbbing pain; Varicose or spider veins; Sores that appear scaly and crusty; Hair loss on the ankles or shins; Thickened skin; Risk Factors of Skin Discoloration. Some autoimmune diseases, such as lupus erythematosus and Graves’ disease, may attack the skin and cause changes in skin color. Read full article on mongolian blue spots. Getting older is a privilege, but you don’t have to settle for changes in your skin that you don’t love. They will also ask you a series of questions about your skin changes. Some women develop eczema for the first time during pregnancy. Some skin discoloration may require treatment. Some Steps to Follow » What Are the Reasons Behind Skin Discoloration? Here are 10 of the best keto protein bars. These reactions can range from red rashes and blisters to skin lightening or darkening. Read full article on bleeding into the skin. Dr. Moles, which are brown or black spots that can appear on the skin at birth. Certain medications can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun so that it’s more likely to turn red. Skin discoloration can have many causes. Certain forms of skin discoloration may fade with over-the-counter solutions and self-care, while some skin diseases require ongoing management with the help of … OTC ointments like Vitamin A cream and Vitamin E cream can help in treating discolored and dry flaky skin on the face. Acanthosis nigricans is a fairly common skin pigmentation disorder, usually notable for dark patches of skin with a thick, velvety texture. Topical creams: Topical hydroquinone or prescription retinol (vitamin A) cream may help decrease the appearance of dark skin patches. » How to Get Rid Of Facial Skin Discoloration? Soy. A gray, pale, or bluish tint to the skin can signal health problems that cause a lack of oxygen or blood flow. This includes applying broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher each and every day and pairing it with an antioxidant product that can help neutralize free radicals, like SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic . We understand that skin discoloration is often a chronic issue that can be difficult emotionally. Fungal infections, such as ringworm, tinea versicolor, and candida can also trigger discolored skin patches on various parts of the body. Don’t settle for skin you don’t love. Protein bars make a great snack, but finding keto-friendly ones can be a challenge. How are discolored skin patches evaluated? Talk to your healthcare provider about your options so you can determine which treatment is best for you. We include products we think are useful for our readers. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Make sure to discuss the side effects, cost, and effectiveness of each treatment. Pregnancy, sun exposure, and natural changes in our skin can cause uneven pigmentation. Lemon juice: Apply lemon juice twice per day to lighten skin areas that have darkened. In most cases, skin discoloration fades after you finish treatment. It can also indicate late-stage…, For most people, eczema is a lifelong condition that consists of occasional flare-ups. Various infections can cause localized changes in skin color. They are caused by swollen blood vessels under the skin. Learn more about managing radiation-related skin side effects in the Radiation Therapy section. Some of the more common causes for changes in skin color are illness, injury, and inflammatory problems. » Skin Discoloration of Hand – What Will You Do? SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Multi-Phase Serum. It can take time to reverse dark elbows. Skin Discoloration Treatment What is skin discoloration? Fruits high in vitamin C include cantaloupe, oranges, and pineapple. Apply this paste all over the skin wherever there are spots. By tracking young eczema patients over years, researchers shed light on the longevity of atopic dermatitis. Other conditions and medical treatments that can cause discolored patches on the skin include: You should schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider if: If you’re concerned about your discolored skin patches and don’t already have a dermatologist, you can view doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool. However, this also means that our skin’s pigmentation can sometimes become uneven when there is an increase or decrease in melanin, causing skin discoloration. These factors may play a role in your skin changes. This is because good daily skin care practices can offer both prevention and treatment of discoloration. Discolored skin patches are irregular areas where there are changes in skin color. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Then, enter your desired appointment location and choose your insurance plan. We’ll show you. Some causes for discolored skin patches are fairly minor conditions that need only simple treatment. Skin discoloration is not always something that needs to be treated, but if your discoloration is new or is causing you either physical or emotional distress, call Rockville and the greater DC area’s leading dermatologist, Dr. Green. Birthmarks are discolored skin spots that can develop at birth or after birth. The sun’s powerful energy can cause age spots, freckles, sun spots, and other forms of skin discoloration on exposed areas such as the face, chest, and hands. This triggers inflammation throughout the body, resulting in various symptoms, including swelling and redness. In addition to kojic acid and niacinamide, … Here’s our process. Skin discoloration, be it from sun spots, rashes, infections, or melasma, can be distressing. Your skin is one of your most precious assets, and having confidence in your skin is an essential part of self-love and self-care. However, this doesn’t mean that the uneven pigmentation can’t be treated. If you notice these symptoms of … If your healthcare provider suspects that an underlying condition is causing your discolored skin patches, they will order certain diagnostic tests to pinpoint the cause. It is easy to prepare a paste of baking powder by mixing a teaspoon of baking soda along with some water. … Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should also tell your healthcare provider if you’re pregnant or taking any hormone treatments. Melasma, also known as the “mask of pregnancy,” is one skin condition that can develop due to these hormonal changes. If your discoloration is caused by environmental factors, such as excessive sun exposure or pollution, the best way to prevent it from getting worse is to protect your skin. What Causes Eczema During Pregnancy and How Is It Treated? Most moles aren’t cause for concern. Allergic reactions to foods, plants, or irritants can also result in discolored skin patches in various areas of the body. Be confident in your care and your skin. Treatment of Skin Discoloration Treatment for skin pigmentation discoloration varies depending on the cause. Melanin is the substance that provides color to the skin and protects it from the sun. In people with autoimmune diseases and allergies, however, the immune system confuses healthy cells for something foreign and attacks them by mistake. Years of sun exposure may have left your clear, evenly colored skin looking dull and blotchy. Unfortunately, some pigmentation changes that occur during the summer can lead to the development of very dangerous cancers, especially when they begin to develop an irregular shape and change their color. Larger spots benefit from wearing a bandage soaked with castor oil overnight. Some Tips to Consider Generally, it is harmless, and more of a cosmetic issue where […] Learn why this happens and how to safely manage the condition. Skin discoloration is a common condition, and causes the skin to become darker (hyperpigmentation), reddened, develop flat patches of lighter skin, in certain areas. You can search for doctors for Skin Discoloration or any other visit reason. The lesions and the treatment alike can leave lasting skin discoloration changes. However, changes in the size or shape of these spots can signal trouble and should be checked by your healthcare provider. Other causes may be more severe and require ongoing treatment. Sour milk contains lactic acid; hence it is used as an effective home remedy for dark skin. Here is a list of 18 possible causes. There are several types of skin cancer, all requiring treatment: Most discolored skin patches aren’t caused by skin cancer. Read full article on squamous cell carcinoma. The damage may cause the cells to grow out of control and form a mass of cancer cells. Discolored skin patches can also develop when you don’t apply sunscreen in a thorough manner, leading to a patchy tan. Our skin contains melanin, which is responsible for the color of our skin. To learn more about the cause of your skin discoloration and what we can do for you, call Dr. Green at (301) 610-0663 to schedule your appointment, or you can request an appointment online. According to "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies," applying castor oil to discoloration twice daily may help smooth out the skin as well and break down excess melanin. Keep it on the skin for 6-7 minutes and then wash off. These changes often occur due to increased levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. » Top 15 Natural Remedies for Sunspots » Top 10 Ways to Get Rid Of Age Spots from the Face » How to Remove Dark Patches and Spot from the Skin? A Child with Eczema Will Likely Have It for Life, Study Says, Only occurs in people being treated with radiation, Blistering, dryness, itching, and peeling of the skin, Superficial burn on the outermost layer of skin, More severe, blistering burns may occur after extended periods of sun exposure, Usually occurs in skin folds (armpits, buttocks, under breasts, between fingers and toes), Begins with itching, stinging, and burning red rash with wet appearance and dry crusting at the edges, Progresses to cracked and sore skin with blisters and pustules that may become infected with bacteria, Chronic skin disease that goes through cycles of fading and relapse, Relapses may be triggered by spicy foods, alcoholic beverages, sunlight, stress, and the intestinal bacteria, There are four subtypes of rosacea encompassing a wide variety of symptoms, Common symptoms include facial flushing, raised, red bumps, facial redness, skin dryness, and skin sensitivity, Burn severity is classified by both depth and size, First-degree burns: minor swelling and dry, red, tender skin that turns white when pressure is applied, Second-degree burns: very painful, clear, weeping blisters and skin that appears red or has variable, patchy coloration, Third-degree burns: white or dark brown/tan in color, with leathery appearance and low or no sensitivity to touch, Slow-growing white, tan, brown, pink, or red spots on the skin that may be lighter or darker than your normal skin color, Spots may disappear in cold weather and reappear in the spring and summer, Appears hours to days after contact with an allergen, Rash has visible borders and appears where your skin touched the irritating substance, Blisters that weep, ooze, or become crusty, Red or purplish raised mark commonly located on the face, scalp, back, or chest, Appears at birth or in very young children, Gradually gets smaller or disappears as the child ages, Yellow or white scaly patches that flake off, Affected areas may be red, itchy, greasy, or oily, Hair loss may occur in the area with the rash, Occurs when a blood vessel bursts or leaks under the skin, Bleeding into the skin can appear as small dots, called petechiae, or in larger, flat patches, called purpura, The most common cause of bleeding under the skin is injury, but it may also be caused by more serious illness, Always see a doctor about bleeding into the skin that isn’t related to a known injury, or if bleeding is causing excessive swelling or pain, Loss of pigment in the skin due to autoimmune destruction of the cells that give skin its color, Focal pattern: loss of skin color in only a few small areas that may merge together, Segmental pattern: depigmentation on one side of the body, Premature graying of scalp and/or facial hair, Develop in areas of the body that have poor blood flow, most commonly in the feet and lower legs, Painful, irregularly shaped, shallow wounds with crusting and weeping, Raised, firm, and pale areas that may resemble a scar, Dome-like, pink or red, shiny, and pearly areas that may have a sunk-in center, like a crater, Easy bleeding or oozing wound that doesn’t seem to heal, or heals and then reappears, Typically less than 2 cm, or about the size of a pencil eraser, Appears on parts of the body that receive a lot of sun exposure (hands, arms, face, scalp, and neck), Usually pink in color but can have a brown, tan, or gray base, Often occurs in areas exposed to UV radiation, such as the face, ears, and back of the hands, Scaly, reddish patch of skin progresses to a raised bump that continues to grow, Growth that bleeds easily and doesn’t heal, or heals and then reappears, The most serious form of skin cancer, more common in fair-skinned people, Mole anywhere on the body that has irregularly shaped edges, asymmetrical shape, and multiple colors, Mole that has changed color or gotten bigger over time, Common skin condition that causes dark patches to appear on the face and, rarely, the neck, chest, or arms, More common in pregnant women (chloasma) and individuals with darker skin color and heavy sun exposure, No other symptoms beyond skin discoloration, May go away on its own within a year or may become permanent, Harmless skin condition seen at birth (birthmark), Large, flat, gray or blue patches with irregular edges seen on the back and buttock. This leads to changes in the texture of the skin and turns the surrounding skin red or white. The skin discoloration doesn’t do any physical harm, but you may feel self-conscious about the way it looks. Dr. Green at Aesthetic & Dermatology Center is a leading expert in treating skin conditions that cause skin discoloration. Soy extract, which is derived from the soybean plant, has been shown to help brighten the skin, … Skin discoloration also can happen if you're experiencing other treatment side effects such as a rash or an injection reaction. Hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy, can trigger changes in skin color. Drink tea: Drinking tea made from burdock, red clover, or milk thistle might reduce skin discoloration. Some common treatments we prescribe at Aesthetic & Dermatology Center are: During a consultation with Dr. Green, he will determine the cause of your skin discoloration to develop a personalized treatment plan that will treat the cause of your discoloration. 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