Human skin is not just a tissue that covers the entire outside of the body. This is a huge organ that protects us from external influences: microorganisms, pressure, temperatures, chemicals. In addition, the skin is closely connected with our internal environment, and when any problems appear there, it makes them known by a general or local change in structure, elasticity and color. Thus, red spots on the legs, as well as a rash of a different nature in this location, are a signal that problems are happening to the body. In order to avoid hazardous health consequences, they must be identified and eliminated. Let's look at what the rash looks like for the most common diseases.
By a spot, people mean a local change in the color and (sometimes) structure of the skin in a certain location. Doctors use the word “spot” to refer to a small area of discoloration (red, brown, black or whiter than the surrounding skin), which does not rise above the level of the rest of the skin. Elements that protrude above the surrounding skin, are flaky, have a different density from other tissues, and have a cavity inside filled with light water or pus, have completely different names. This helps doctors narrow down the “circle of suspected” diseases.
In order not to confuse the reader, in this publication we will refer to all elements of the rash as a “spot”. Let's take as a basis the classification according to which spots are vascular or pigmented.
These are formations of red, purple, brown, bluish or yellow color. Their color depends on the state of the blood in a given location: in which vessel (blood or lymphatic) it is located, whether it has come out of it into the tissue or continues to be included in the bloodstream.
Vascular spots are divided into:
These are spots that have developed as a result of increased or decreased levels of melanin (that brown pigment that is found in skin cells and makes our tan possible). If there is a lot of pigment, moles, chloasma, freckles, and lentigo appear. When there is not enough of it, whitish areas appear on the skin: vitiligo, leucoderma.
There is one more type of stain that occurs as a result of the artificial introduction of dye into the skin (tattoo, tattoo), but this is not a worrying problem, and we will not consider it.
They occur upon contact with new materials of shoes, clothes (after washing with new detergents), after taking a bath with new additives, or walking on herbs in the summer. If the spots are all over the body, then this may be a reaction to animal fur, plant pollen, medications, or food.
The appearance of such red spots may be accompanied by a runny nose without fever, a dry, obsessive cough, and lacrimation
When the redness becomes less bright, a brown crust appears on top
Spots on a child’s legs most often appear due to:
Children may develop spots due to ringworm and other mycoses, but these causes are more rare than those described above.
As mentioned above, this is a rash associated with the brown pigment melanin, which is normally found in our skin, but is distributed evenly throughout it. The word “pigmentation” refers to spots due to excess melanin. This:
various shades of brown, usually located in places accessible to light on people with fair skin;
Pigmented areas also include depigmented, that is, light areas. This:
Pigment spots - due to the fact that they are brown - are similar to hemorrhages that occur with vascular diseases, with pathology of the coagulation system:
If the spots are not accompanied by an increase in temperature or a deterioration in the general condition of an adult, if they do not spread “before the eyes,” you can visit a therapist, and then a dermatologist as planned, on the next weekday. Any rash of any location in children under 14 years of age (and especially if it is dark or star-shaped) is mandatory for emergency examination by a pediatrician at a clinic (during the day) or a hospital - at night and on holidays.
To determine the cause of the spots, the doctor will prescribe tests such as:
Based on the examination, laboratory and instrumental diagnostics, the doctor will establish a diagnosis and prescribe therapy. You should not self-medicate: even if the rash has gone away under your “treatment,” it cannot be said that the disease has not progressed to the next stage, when internal organs are affected.
Not all spots that appear from time to time on the legs are dangerous, but you need to know the reason for their appearance and how to treat these spots.
Why do spots appear on my legs?
Dark spots that appear on the legs as a result of tight shoes or contact of the skin of the legs with nylon tights are not scary and will soon pass. Sometimes black spots on the legs appear after contact with depilatory products, shower gels that are not suitable for the user’s skin type, causing irritation and allergies.
If dark red spots appear on the legs, then you should not leave this fact to chance, as this may indicate the onset of a complex disease, vasculitis, and you should not take any therapeutic measures on your own, so as not to make it even worse. Dark spots on the legs let the body know that there is a problem with the vessels and veins of the legs and you need to urgently consult a doctor.
The appearance of black pigment spots on the legs indicates a disorder in the organs of the digestive system and metabolism. Sometimes dark spots on the legs are genetically inherited, sometimes they appear after prolonged exposure to sunlight. In any case, the nature of their occurrence can be determined by a dermatologist or endocrinologist.
The functioning of the endocrine system is closely related to the appearance of dark spots on the skin, including on the skin of the legs, so these spots may indicate a lack of vitamins A, C, PP in the body. In addition to external remedies to combat dark spots, you need to start taking these vitamins. The attending physician will help you develop a complex suitable for each specific case.
Any change in skin color requires close attention, as sometimes black spots on the legs can develop into a malignant tumor. If the dark spots that appear on your legs are round in shape, then most likely these are new moles and nothing bad happened with their appearance. The appearance of dark spots on the legs of women threatens to put them at risk, since women, by shaving their legs, can disturb an innocent mole and thereby transfer it to the category of cancer.
Pigmented black spots on legs
Very often, black spots that appear on the legs can go unnoticed by their carrier, but their appearance indicates the development of a disease in the body.
Even harmless black spots - moles - can degenerate into terrible diseases. Therefore, if black spots on your legs begin to swell, grow hairy, or itch, you should immediately consult a doctor so as not to miss the terrible disease - melanoma.
Often black spots on the legs appear as a result of allergic reactions of the body, or as a reaction to a cosmetic hair removal procedure. Typically, such black spots disappear when the allergen disappears.
Black pigment spots may appear on the legs, as well as on other parts of the body. Their appearance indicates a disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, excretory system or lack of vitamins in the body. A comprehensive examination of the entire body will help you understand the correct reason for the appearance of black spots on your legs. Delaying the examination can lead to aggravation of the situation and an increase in the number of black spots on the legs.
Vascular black spots on legs
In addition to the pigmented nature, black spots on the legs can be of vascular origin. They appear due to an increase in the diameter of the vessels. Black spots with a blue tint indicate the onset of a disease such as varicose veins. They can grow and merge with each other.
Hemorrhagic vascular black spots are hemorrhages in the upper layers of the skin; it occurs when there is inflammation of the blood vessels. If there is no inflammation, black spots on the legs may appear as a result of injuries.
Such spots can vary in size: from a spot the size of a pea to the size of a five-kopeck coin
If the pigment content of the skin of the leg changes, the color of the spot may vary from light brown to black.
The reasons for the appearance of black spots on the legs can be completely different: from innocent irritation from wearing synthetics and tight shoes to vitamin deficiency, diabetes and the onset of a terrible cancer disease.
Women should keep in mind that after 25 years, any bruise, cut or scratch can give rise to the appearance of a black pigment spot on the skin of the legs.
In order not to rack your brains over the cause of the appearance of a black spot on the skin of your legs, you should consult a doctor for an explanation of the nature of the spots.
What to do if dark spots appear on your legs
Sometimes, despite high-quality skin care and protection, pigment spots still overcome it. And often the reason for this is the negative effects of sunlight. But besides this external irritant, skin pigmentation can also be affected by some internal changes in the body. This could be a hormonal imbalance or a violation of any organs. At the same time, even stress can be the reason why you may develop pigmented dark spots on your legs. And regardless of the reason for which you are overcome by this illness, you urgently need to seek help from a doctor. Since the skin does not simply change, and this may be some kind of signal about the occurrence of more serious diseases.
If dark spots that appear on your legs bring you discomfort, pain, itching, peeling, then you should urgently consult an oncologist for advice. Dark brown spots on the skin of the legs appear due to the appearance of atherosclerosis of the blood vessels of the legs or due to diabetes mellitus.
In any case, if dark spots appear on your legs, you should not panic ahead of time; you should definitely visit a doctor and determine the nature of the appearance of the spot.
Needless to say, age spots visually make even the youngest person look older. And all this because from childhood, spending time with their grandparents, children always pay attention to the features of their skin. And everyone knows that the result of age spots is age. But this is a rather rash opinion, despite the fact that, indeed, one of the reasons may be skin aging. However, if you have spots on your legs, then regardless of age, you need to consult a doctor. The thing is that not only age can be the reason why the skin changes color; one cannot exclude the influence of ultraviolet rays, and the characteristics of changes in the body, and the specifics of nutrition and lifestyle in general.
How to treat dark spots on legs
The most important thing in treating pigmented dark spots is to identify the root cause and origins of this disease. To do this, you need to see a doctor and undergo a series of relevant tests. Only depending on the reason why you have spots, the doctor prescribes the appropriate treatment.
So, for example, if black spots are caused by a disease of some internal organs, then the treatment must be comprehensive. We must not forget about the direct treatment of the diseased organ, and the external effect on dark spots. Now doctors can offer a lot of different methods of therapy, which begin with external exposure to nitrogen and end with some kind of light therapy. However, before resorting to such methods of treating spots, make sure that the root cause of your problem has been completely eliminated.
If red spots appear on your legs that itch, then this will definitely not go unnoticed, because it is not only visible, but also causes discomfort. And even if there is no itching, the cause of such a symptom should be found out as quickly as possible, since it can be very serious.
What symptoms may occur? Let's list some possible ones:
Red spots on the calves of the legs or on other parts are a symptom that can accompany a wide variety of diseases. Some of them will be listed below.
Some viral diseases may be accompanied by rashes. This happens with rubella, measles, chicken pox and other similar diseases. But, most likely, the rashes will be scattered throughout the body, and not localized on just the legs. In most cases, the body temperature will rise and the general condition will worsen.
But there are also more serious causes, such as syphilis. In the secondary period, which lasts more than 5 years, red spots periodically appear on the calves of the legs. But the rash will spread over almost the entire body and will be bright. In addition, the manifestation can spread to the mucous membranes. In any of the above cases, you should consult a doctor soon, since eliminating the rash is not the most important point of treatment; special therapy will be required.
Allergy is a common disease that has several manifestations. For example, red, scaly patches may appear on the legs. And if the allergen came into contact specifically with these limbs, then the rash will be localized precisely in this area. Allergic reactions most often involve itching and burning. The body temperature usually does not rise, the condition remains normal. The skin often becomes covered with blisters filled with liquid. And sometimes the skin becomes dry, peeling and cracking.
Try to remember what and when you came into contact with. Usually the reaction appears on the first day. For example, you could walk in sandals or sandals on some grass, the pollen of which is a strong allergen.
Treatment of allergies involves limiting contact with potential allergens, taking antihistamines and local treatment with cooling and anti-inflammatory ointments and gels. But therapy is possible only on the recommendation of a doctor.
Fungus (mycosis) is a skin infection caused by fungal bacteria. They can come from the external environment and begin to act actively. The main routes of infection are household (through common personal hygiene items) and contact. For example, if you go to the pool without shoes, you risk getting this disease.
As for the symptoms, red spots appear on the toes, they are very itchy and itchy. Crusts often form, the skin becomes dry, and the nail may peel and turn yellow. The fungus must be treated with special antifungal agents (local for mild cases of the disease or general drugs for serious lesions).
Some diseases associated with impaired blood flow are accompanied by a rash. Red round spots on the legs are not problems with the skin, but burst capillaries passing near the surface of the skin, or blood clots in them. For example, thrombocytopenic purpura has such a manifestation, in which blood clots, hemorrhages and local bleeding occur simultaneously. The spots can be either small or large. They are usually bright red, almost burgundy. The general condition may worsen, but the temperature remains normal. Also, if a spot appears on your leg, as well as swelling, then try to palpate the vein. If it appears swollen, then you are probably dealing with thrombophlebitis, in which the vein walls become inflamed and blood clots form.
If a red spot appears on your leg and it hurts, then it is probably the result of some kind of impact. For example, trousers that were too rough could simply rub the skin (especially the delicate areas between the legs). It could also happen that you accidentally dropped boiling water on your leg, did not attach any importance to it, and then saw a speck (or several). Another reason is chemical exposure. Some aggressive substances and components can have a rather strong effect on the skin and cause redness or rashes. In addition, the rash may well appear in those who shave their legs with a razor (friction causes irritation).
Diabetes mellitus is a disease that affects many tissues, including the skin. The skin may become dry and very rough. Spots and cracks appear, developing in severe cases into trophic ulcers.
Some diseases affecting the skin are accompanied by rashes. The spots may itch, turn red, crack, and the skin becomes dry. There are often no other manifestations, but in severe forms other symptoms may occur (fever, chills, insomnia, increased nervous excitability).
If red itchy spots appear on your legs, then monitor your general condition. You should also remember what you ate, where you were, who or what you came into contact with, and what you did. But even if there are no other manifestations, then seeing a doctor will not only not be unnecessary, but is also required . Some serious diseases (for example, vasculitis or syphilis) are accompanied by a rash without other symptoms for certain periods of time. But the course of the disease can be dangerous and lightning fast.
We can only add that even small spots should not be overlooked. This symptom can be a signal of dangerous and serious diseases. Take care of yourself and your health, consult a doctor on time.
Spots on the legs are most often not noticed, or people do not attach any importance to their occurrence. But this is wrong from the point of view of preservation and health care. The fact is that their presence can say a lot both about the disease of the legs themselves and other internal organs.
Red spots on the legs that look like hives indicate that a person has an allergy. It is necessary to try to quickly find the cause of this (cosmetics and procedures, medications, food, clothing, etc.) and stop exposure to allergens.
Dark spots on the legs are very dangerous when familiar and “calm” moles suddenly become a big threat to health. The fact is that they can turn into melanoma, a malignant tumor. The patient needs to examine moles very carefully and regularly. If pain appears in their area, they become dark and begin to increase in size, then it is immediately recommended to consult a dermatologist. Moles are safe, but their “vital activity” must be kept under constant control.
Red spots on the legs are a signal of the development of one of the most serious diseases. We are talking about vasculitis, inflammation of the blood vessels. When the first spots appear, you must go to a medical institution to undergo the necessary examinations. There is no point in hoping that they will disappear; this will not happen on its own. But an advanced disease can be very, very difficult to cure, since it can lead to very serious complications.
Pigment spots on the legs symbolize the appearance of diseases in the digestive organs and excretory system. They also indicate that there is an abnormal metabolism or a lack of vitamins. Only a comprehensive examination will help to find out the root cause. In no case is it recommended to start treating such spots with folk remedies, since by trying to get rid of the effect, you can trigger the cause - the underlying disease. This approach will only lead to aggravation of this situation and to the appearance of new skin tumors.
Yellow-pink and pink scaly spots on the legs are very dangerous. There is a possibility that the person has a serious disease - pityriasis rosea. Naturally, it will not be possible to cure it on your own, at home, and the use of folk lotions and decoctions will only worsen the existing situation. Because untreated pityriasis rosea will after some time become the basis for an equally serious disease - eczema. Therefore, there is only one way out - urgently consult a dermatologist. Correctly and quickly selected treatment will cleanse the skin of any new growths that have arisen, and after a while the skin on the legs will be absolutely healthy.
Particular attention should be paid to why blue spots appear on the legs, which are most often perceived by people as ordinary bruises, although there were no bruises before their appearance. They can occur for various reasons:
In general, you definitely need to be careful about the health of your feet.
Dermatological disorders on the legs are a common cosmetic and medical problem that can easily have many layers. Only the spots on the legs themselves can pose a threat to the health of the body or, conversely, not cause any inconvenience other than cosmetic ones. Most often, spots turn out to be external manifestations of internal pathological processes occurring in the body.
The formation of spots on the epidermis of the legs can be due to a wide range of reasons. The most common among them are allergens, which, when in contact with the skin, cause irritation and itching. Synthetic materials that make up clothing, shoes, food and others can act as allergens. A visit to a dermatologist will help determine this. Treatment in this case is not difficult, since it consists of simply eliminating the allergen.
The presence of systemic diseases or the penetration of infection into the body are more serious reasons that can cause spots on the legs. In this case, a mandatory visit to the clinic is often required to establish a diagnosis. Although the appearance of the formations may well tell about the nature of the pathologies activated in the body.
It is important to understand that dark brown spots often indicate a lack of vitamins A, C and PP. The appearance of “light” spots is often caused by a similar problem, but associated with the lack of a sufficient amount of B vitamins.
There are quite a few different, more or less dangerous, spots on the skin of the legs, but they are all caused by problems either with the vascular system or with the pigmentation of body cells. Vascular spots are:
The size, appearance and condition of the skin in the area where these abnormalities are localized make it possible in most cases to identify the type of vascular spot at the stage of preliminary examination. But it is not recommended to do this on your own, because quite dangerous diseases can cause their appearance. Vascular spots on the feet are the result of hemorrhage into the epidermis, leprosy, syphilis, trauma, lichen and many other diseases.
Among the pigment spots that affect the skin, it is worth highlighting the types familiar to every person:
Pigment spots affecting the lower extremities are mostly hereditary formations of the epidermis or symptoms of a systemic disease such as diabetes or oncology.
Red spots on the legs are the most common dermatic problem in this category. But, despite the fact that they have become quite widespread, you should not independently search for the causes and methods of treating red spots. The risk of an incorrect diagnosis is quite high, because the appearance of red spots on the epidermis can have a wide range of causes. And not all of them can be effectively treated at home.
Varicose veins and trophic ulcers, or a simple allergic reaction to shoes made of synthetic materials, give rise to a phenomenon that is characterized as a reddened foot. It may indicate any of these ailments.
Don’t forget about mycosis, a fungal disease that can only be diagnosed in the laboratory. Its treatment is quite simple, but only if detected in time. And in the case of varicose veins, redness of the epidermis can not only predict the development of pathology, but also help to significantly slow down its development (if the disease is detected in a timely manner).
Blue spots on the epidermis of the legs are often mistaken for the result of an ordinary bruise or muscle strain. Such spots on the epidermis are simply called “bruises” and people do not pay attention to them, considering them harmless. But the nature of their occurrence includes not only the mechanism of reaction to a bruise or heavy load. They occur as a result of stress, diseases of the internal organs, anemia and lack of B vitamins.
Regular formation of blue spots on the legs in the absence of truly objective reasons for this may indicate a violation of the blood composition, namely a problem with a normal platelet count. The appearance of blue spots should not be confused with the manifestation of symptoms of varicose veins. This disease usually causes red spots to appear.
Do not confuse “bruises” caused by hair removal, mechanical damage to the legs and similar causes with symptoms of internal diseases. Accurate diagnosis is the key to proper treatment, and it can only be carried out in a medical institution.
Spots on the legs, the cause of which is diabetes mellitus, often become a common symptom of this disease for the patient. The rash is localized on the front of the lower leg. In this zone, symmetrically on both legs, the epidermis is affected by a small brown-reddish rash up to a centimeter in diameter. The disease has a “personal” set of skin disorders, which received the following names and symptoms:
Such rashes are a symptom of long-term diabetes mellitus and are caused by disorders of blood microcirculation in the capillaries. One of the symptoms of diabetes is a skin rash called vitiligo.
Spots on the legs can not only indicate the occurrence of pathological processes in the body, but also become quite a serious cosmetic defect for a person. This rule is especially true for large age spots that appear on the legs of women. Sometimes a scratch or pimple is enough to form them, but removing them will require much more effort. This situation requires a serious approach and mandatory consultation with a specialist. Otherwise, there is a risk of getting irreversible damage to the epidermis instead of removing the pigment spot.
Cosmetology salons offer pigment spot removal services. You can cope with this task yourself only by removing old formations. To do this you will need hydrogen peroxide and badyaga. From these substances, sold in any pharmacy, you need to create a thick, creamy mixture. It is used to smear old age spots for a quarter of an hour, having previously cleansed and degreased the skin. The procedure is very unpleasant, resembles a sunburn and is not recommended for people with allergies.
Red, white, blue, ulcerative and any other rashes on the skin of the legs can only be cured after consultation with a dermatologist. The reason is that such neoplasms on the epidermis are not a disease. They are a symptom of an illness that must be overcome. And most rashes go away on their own after that. Of course, this does not mean at all that red spots should be ignored until the cause that caused them is defeated.
It is worth considering the importance of accurate and timely diagnosis. It will allow you to quickly and without consequences for the body cope with the disease, restoring health and beauty to the skin.
Red, scaly spots on the legs almost always indicate the penetration of some pathogenic microorganisms into the body or the development of one of the autoimmune diseases.
Manifestations of allergies, hormonal imbalances, the initial stage of varicose veins, erysipelas, burns, hemangioma, mechanical damage to the skin, insect bites and even syphilis can also cause the appearance of red spots on the legs, but in these cases they look smooth and do not protrude above the surface of the skin.
If the spot on your leg peels off, but does not hurt, then most likely you have contracted pink lichen of Zhibera. This disease is not contagious. It usually appears after suffering from a cold against the background of reduced immunity. First, a round, pale pink, even “mother” spot appears on the leg (usually in the ankle), then rounded areas of smaller diameter form around it. After about a week, the skin in the middle begins to turn yellow and peel. The patient experiences itching. There is no special drug for the treatment of Zhiber's lichen; to take action, the pink scaly spot on the leg is lubricated with antipruritic ointments or hydrocortisone, and antihistamines are prescribed internally. After 8-10 days, the disease usually goes away; only small light spots on the skin may remain, which will disappear without a trace over time.
Healing this scourge is also possible with the help of folk remedies, for example, tincture of celandine, horse sorrel or sea buckthorn oil, which is periodically lubricated with problem areas.
Spots on the legs itch and peel due to ringworm. In this case, they constantly increase in size, in the center they have a paler color and small scales, along the edges there is a pink roller of bubbles and nodules, as well as yellow crusts.
If you find a scaly spot on a child's leg, you need to urgently take him to a specialist and check for the presence of this extremely contagious disease. It is easily transmitted by playing together with infected children or pets. Adults, of course, also suffer from this type of lichen, but much less often than children.
To treat the disease, antifungal drugs, immunomodulators, hormones, drying ointments, and vitamins are used.
Traditional medicine recommends rubbing propolis, plantain juice, and making pumpkin compresses, but due to the danger of the sore spreading throughout the body, it is better to combine traditional methods with medications.
It often happens that a spot appears on the foot that peels and itches after visiting a fitness center, swimming pool or beach, bathhouse or other public places where you have to take off your shoes. If it is localized on the foot or between the toes, has a clear outer rim and flaking particles inside it, then most likely you or your child have become infected with one of the mycoses that are caused by pathogenic fungal cultures. The disease is easy to catch if the integrity of the skin is damaged and immunity is reduced.
Red, scaly spots on the legs of a child or an elderly person often indicate a fungal infection; young, healthy people get sick much less often. Antifungal drugs are needed to treat fungal diseases.
If the spots on the skin of your legs are very flaky, you can alleviate the suffering with such folk remedies as string baths, birch tar ointment, and peppermint compresses.
If a red spot on the leg itches and peels under the knee, on the knee or in places where there is friction with clothing, and looks as if it has been smeared with paraffin, then it is worth checking for the presence of an autoimmune disease such as psoriasis. It will not be possible to cure it without medical help, because there is no single medicine that helps all patients. The specialist develops treatment tactics based on the characteristics of the disease in a particular patient and the condition of his body.
Compresses made from onions, celandine, and garlic help reduce the pain and size of plaques. Unfortunately, even official medicine cannot achieve a complete cure, but with its help it is possible to achieve long-term remission.
Seeing that a red spot has appeared on the leg and it is peeling, you can determine the presence of eczema. It is most often localized on the ankles and the top of the feet, where the hairy part is present. This disease is accompanied by itching and the formation of weeping crusts. It can be seborrheic, mycotic, allergic, varicose, true, traumatic or microbial in nature. The effectiveness of treatment depends on the correct diagnosis, so you should definitely consult a specialist. In this case, treatment, as a rule, requires systemic treatment, since the common cause of the disease is a combination of several diseases.
An abrasion or a wound that does not heal for a long time can provoke a situation where a red spot appears on the leg and peels off. If a person experiences constant thirst, frequent urination, or increased appetite, then it is worth checking the level of glucose in the blood. All these signs indicate the presence of uncompensated diabetes mellitus, for which it is necessary to consult an endocrinologist.
In any case, flaky areas on the legs cannot be ignored; the skin is trying to get rid of diseased and dead particles. This is not a case where there is hope that everything will heal without any effort on your part.
The appearance of dark spots on the face or body always upsets us. This seemingly only aesthetic problem makes you feel embarrassed in front of others and look for various cosmetic methods to eliminate hated dark pigmentation. However, dark spots on the skin are not only an external defect. Their appearance in many cases signals malfunctions in the functioning of various systems or organs and requires a comprehensive examination and observation by a specialist.
In this article, we will introduce you to the main types of dark spots on the skin and the reasons for their appearance. This knowledge will guide you in further actions, and you will be able to prevent the progression of many diseases.
Dark spots on the skin include pigmentation disorders such as:
Many long-term or severe chronic pathologies can lead to excessive melanin deposition in the skin.
Such pigmentation disorders can be caused by the following pathologies:
This disorder of skin pigmentation develops as a result of chronic poisoning of the body, which develops during prolonged contact with various lubricants, coal, machine oil, tar, oil or resins. In addition to the development of melanosis, patients experience symptoms of general health problems.
This disorder of skin pigmentation develops as a result of chronic poisoning of the body with arsenic. This chemical can enter the body when taking arsenic preparations (Osarol, Miarsenol, Novareslon, etc.) or when working with certain agricultural preparations or in hazardous industries.
Becker's nevus most often appears in boys 10-15 years old. This pigmentation disorder can occur in men and, sometimes, in women. A nevus looks like a yellowish or dark brown spot of irregular shape. Its edges are uneven or scalloped, and there is increased hair growth on the surface. The location of Becker's nevus can vary, but most often it is observed on the shoulders, forearms, chest, back or legs. At first it looks like a small island, but gradually increases in size (sometimes more than 20 cm in diameter).
The exact reasons for the development of Becker's nevus remain unclear. However, the fact that it is more often observed in males and is accompanied by pronounced hair growth indicates an important role in its formation of male sex hormones. Other assumptions link its development to exposure to ultraviolet rays, since its appearance can often be associated with the presence of insolation. A possible hereditary predisposition to this type of pigmentation disorder cannot be ruled out, since familial cases of Becker melanosis are often identified.
This pigmentation disorder is considered a precancerous condition. It appears as a small, flat, but slightly raised dark spot of irregular shape. Its size initially reaches 2-5 cm, but over time (after several years) it can increase to 8-10 cm. The contours of the spot resemble a geographical map, and the color can vary from light or dark brown to black.
As precancerous Dubreuil's melanosis progresses, it may be accompanied by the appearance of papillomatous, papular and nodular elements on the surface of the spot. The spot becomes darker, and areas of compaction, peeling and erosion may be observed on it. Redness, freckles, telangiectasia, and keratosis may appear around the hyperpigmented area. Such changes in the spot in Dubreuil's melanosis may indicate its transformation into a malignant tumor (melanoma).
This disease is not common. It can be observed in both men and women, and is more often detected in adulthood (after 50 years). According to some experts, this pigmentation disorder is more often observed in women.
Various factors can contribute to the development of precancerous melanosis Dubreuil:
The transformation of Dubreuil's melanosis into a cancerous tumor can occur after 2-30 years (on average 10-15 years). According to some statistics, malignant melanoma in 20-30% of cases develops against the background of such a pigmentation disorder. The transformation of Dubreuil's melanosis (in 40-75% of cases) into cancer is especially likely if left untreated.
This rare skin disease can occur in a benign or malignant form. The clinical picture of acanthosis nigricans is accompanied by the appearance of black or dark brown spots with hyperkeratosis and papillomatosis. They are most often located in large natural folds (under the mammary glands, armpits, intergluteal region, under the knees, between the back of the head and neck, etc.) or on the elbows. The severity of symptoms depends on the form of the disease - with a malignant course, changes in the skin are more pronounced and progress faster.
Various factors can cause the development of acanthosis nigricans:
In young people, this disease often develops due to a genetic predisposition or endocrine diseases, and in older people, it often becomes a sign of the formation of a malignant neoplasm. Sometimes the symptoms of acanthosis nigricans become harbingers of cancer.
Urticaria pigmentosa is a form of mastocytosis and is observed in 75% of cases in children. Itchy red-pink spots appear on the body of a sick child, which transform into blisters filled with clear liquid (sometimes mixed with blood). After opening such skin changes, brownish-brown pigmentation remains on the skin (in some cases, the blisters leave no traces). In 70% of cases, during or after puberty, areas of hyperpigmentation resolve on their own.
In adults, urticaria pigmentosa does not proceed as favorably as in children, and is often complicated by systemic mastocytosis, which leads to disability and death of the patient.
The reasons for the development of urticaria pigmentosa and mastocytosis have not yet been sufficiently studied. Scientists suggest that these pathologies can be provoked by the following factors:
This type of hyperpigmentation is accompanied by the appearance of one or several spots with uniform coloring and clear contours. They can be localized on any part of the skin, are present from birth or appear spontaneously. The sizes of coffee stains can vary and increase as they grow. Their shade can range from light to dark brown. Darker or black dots are sometimes observed on the surface of the spots and there is never any hair growth.
The reasons for the appearance of Nevus spilus are not yet well understood. There are suggestions that their formation is provoked by a hereditary predisposition.
These dark, smooth spots on the skin are benign hyperpigmentations that are yellowish-brown or dark brown in color. Their sizes can reach 1-2 cm in diameter. The spots can be localized on the face, neck, or the surfaces of the arms and legs. They are characterized by a chronic course, slow progression and extremely rare degeneration into malignant melanoma (the risk of malignancy increases with frequent trauma to the skin in the area of the spot).
Lentigo can occur among patients of any age group. Among the reasons for their appearance are the following factors:
Lentigo is often provoked by a combination of several of the factors described above.
This pathology is characterized by the appearance at a young age of hundreds of lentigines on the surface of the skin of the trunk, face and limbs. It is always accompanied by disorders in other organs and systems: valvular stenosis of the pulmonary artery, impaired cardiac conduction, growth retardation, mild mental retardation, hypospadias and other pathologies of the genital organs, late onset of menstruation, sensorineural deafness and widely spaced eyes.
LEOPARD syndrome is always caused by gene mutations:
These multiple or single dark spots appear in women and are irregularly shaped areas of hyperpigmentation that are yellow-brown (sometimes darker) in color. In some cases they are large in size, and their outlines resemble a geographical map. The location of chloasma can be different: face, nipples, torso (along the white line of the abdomen), genitals. In winter and autumn, hyperpigmentation may fade.
The reason for the appearance of such dark spots is always associated with hormonal imbalance (increased estrogen levels):
These small, dark patches of light yellow or deeper brown skin may appear on the face or body. They often appear in children, become more noticeable in spring and summer (during periods of greater solar activity) and may disappear completely with age.
Most often, freckles appear in people of phototypes I-II (blond hair and skin, blue or green eyes) after exposure to ultraviolet rays. Scientists have proven a hereditary predisposition to this type of hyperpigmentation.
This type of dark spots is a special type of skin atrophy that is accompanied by patchy or reticular hyperpigmentation and telangiectasia. Dermatologists distinguish congenital (Thomson syndrome) and acquired types of poikiloderma. Pathologies are accompanied by the appearance of redness and swelling on the skin. Subsequently, skin atrophy develops and telangiectasia, hyperpigmentation and depigmentation appear. Patients have hypersensitivity to ultraviolet rays. Skin changes can be observed on the face, neck, arms, legs and buttocks. With congenital poikiloderma, which is more often observed in women, other pathologies are present: underdevelopment of the genital organs, cataracts, abnormalities of hair, teeth, nails and bones
The following factors can cause the development of poikiloderma:
With Recklinghausen's disease (or neurofibromatosis type I), dark café-au-lait spots appear on the skin, rashes in the form of "clusters" of freckles (in atypical places) and neurofibromas.
Hyperpigmented spots may be present on the body from birth or appear during childhood. The intensity of their color can vary and is usually represented by brown shades, but in some cases they can have a gray-blue color. They are usually located on the surface of the limbs or torso, and there are at least five of them. With age, their number may increase. Neurofibromas appear on the patient's body. And subsequently they appear in other systems and organs (on nervous tissue, adrenal glands, etc.). In 3-15% of cases they can degenerate into cancerous tumors.
As the disease progresses, the nervous system and musculoskeletal system are involved in the pathological process. Patients exhibit varying degrees of mental retardation, epileptic seizures, depression and psychological disorders. On the bone side, patients with neurofibromatosis exhibit various anomalies: kyphosis, defects of the vertebral bodies, cysts in the long bones, etc.
Also, with Recklinghausen's disease, the following disorders are detected:
The cause of Recklinghausen's disease is a mutation in the gene of chromosome 17, which manifests itself in 100% of cases and cannot go unnoticed throughout life. This severe disease is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and increases the risk of developing malignant neoplasms.
With Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, small lentigine spots of brownish-yellow, brown or dark brown color appear on the skin and mucous membranes of the patient. On the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, nasopharynx, sclera and red border of the lips they have a blue-brown color.
The size of pigmentation can reach 1-4 mm. On the face they are most often localized around the lips and eyes or around the nostrils, and on the body - on the back of the hands and forearms, chest, abdomen and palms. Less commonly, hyperpigmentation is observed on the forehead, chin, external genitalia, or around the anus.
In patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, polyps form in the intestinal lumen. These neoplasms lead to the periodic appearance of abdominal pain, dyspeptic disorders, diarrhea, rumbling in the abdomen and flatulence. Subsequently, they can degenerate into malignant tumors.
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and is often observed in several family members. This pathology is common on all continents and is somewhat more common in women. In some cases, the pathology occurs without the appearance of dark spots on the skin and mucous membranes and is accompanied only by the development of intestinal polyposis.
Nevus of Ota is a unilateral single spot of black-bluish or dark blue color, which is located in the area of the eye, upper jaw and cheek. Sometimes such a pigmentation disorder consists of several spots merging with each other. In rare cases, this dyspigmentation can be bilateral.
Such a dark spot can spread to the sclera and mucous membranes of the eye, pharynx and nose. The intensity of its color can vary - from slightly noticeable to ugly saturated. The spot is present from birth or appears during adolescence and does not disappear on its own. Sometimes nevus of Ota transforms into melanoma of the skin.
Scientists do not yet know the exact reasons for the appearance of such blue-gray dispigmentation. Presumably the formation of nevus of Ota is due to hereditary factors, but this theory has not yet received substantiated confirmation. In most cases, such dark spots appear in people of the Mongoloid race. In isolated cases, nevus of Ota is detected in people of European or Negroid races.
The symptoms of nevus of Ita are in many ways similar to the symptoms of nevus of Ota. The only difference between such a dark spot is its location - the area of hyperpigmentation is localized on the neck, in the chest or shoulder blade area, or under the collarbone.
With a Mongolian spot, an area of gray-blue, bluish or bluish-brown pigmentation of an irregular or round shape is found on the skin of a newborn. Its size can vary (from 1-2 to 10 or more centimeters in diameter). It is usually located in the lumbosacral region, but can also be localized in other parts of the body (back, buttocks, back of the lower leg, etc.). Sometimes migration of the area of dyspigmentation may be observed, i.e. displacement (for example, from the lumbar region to the buttock). In most cases, the Mongolian spot is single, but multiple dispigmentations of this type also occur. There have been no cases of such dark spots transforming into skin cancer.
At first, the dispigmentation has a rich color, but with age it becomes pale and gradually decreases in size. More often, the spot completely disappears by 4-5 years, but sometimes it can be observed up to 7-13 years. In rare cases, the Mongolian spot is also present in adults.
Scientists believe that such dyspigmentation develops with incomplete migration of melanocytes from the deeper layers of the skin into the epidermis. The exact reason for this incomplete process is still unknown. The Mongolian spot is observed in 90% of cases in children of the Mongoloid race, often detected in the Negroid race and only in 1% of cases among Caucasians.
Dark spots on the skin can also be caused by various external factors:
The causes of dark spots on the skin are many and varied. Some of them are completely harmless, can go away on their own or are easily eliminated and are only a cosmetic problem. However, there are also dangerous types of skin hyperpigmentation that require constant monitoring by a specialist and treatment. Remember this, do not ignore any symptoms of skin discoloration and be healthy!
To clarify the diagnosis, if spots appear on the skin, you need to contact a dermatologist. Considering the variety of causes that cause skin pigmentation disorders, the doctor can prescribe consultations with various specialized specialists: endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, geneticist, urologist, phthisiatrician, occupational pathologist, oncologist, allergist, immunologist, cosmetologist, neurologist, orthopedist, surgeon. Sometimes only treatment under the supervision of several doctors helps to get rid of the disease.