Discoloration refers to the changes in the tone or the visible appearance of any matter or substance. This is mostly caused by the inner reactions among the components of that matter or substance. Furthermore, human beings also experience skin discoloration, which can happen due to many reasons. These skin discoloration causes include sickness, injuries, inflammation, and fluctuations in the melanin levels. Melanin is a pigment that provides the color to the skin, while also protecting it from the UV rays of the Sun. Thus, a fluctuation in the melanin levels can often result in the surfacing of discolored skin patches. Here we will check out everything about discoloration, its causes, types, and treatment.
WHAT IS SKIN DISCOLORATION?
Skin discoloration is a condition in which there are changes in the color of skin in some uneven areas. This can often be a frustrating and uncomfortable situation for anyone as these discolored patches can appear anywhere. For example, some people might experience these on their faces and others might experience these on arms, back, and chest, etc. Various factors might cause this common problem. One of the most common causes is the overproduction of melanin pigment, which causes dark-colored skin patches. Now know more about the various causes of skin discoloration in detail.
SKIN DISCOLORATION CAUSES & TYPES
There is a long list of causes that might lead to the formation of discolored skin patches on the body. Here are some of the most common types of skin discoloration, along with their causes.
- Radiation Therapy – This type of skin discoloration mainly occurs to the person undergoing radiation therapy treatment. Along with the discolored patches, a person might experience blisters, dry skin, itching, and skin peel-offs. Also, a person undergoing radiation therapy might experience hair loss in the body area being treated.
- Sunburns – Sunburn is often caused by over-exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun. The appearance of sunburn is red skin with a possibility of inflammation and pain. Also, there is dryness and skin peel-offs. The situation can become worse if exposed more in the sunlight.
- Candida – This type of skin discoloration is common in folding body areas like armpits, butt, underneath breasts, and in-between fingers/toes. A person might experience itching, throbbing, and smoldering red rashes that appear wet in the center, and dry around the edges. If left untreated, it can become worse to painful skin cracks with blisters and possible bacterial infection.
- Rosacea – This is a chronic disorder, which might keep fading away and appearing back. The reappearance might be caused due to various factors like spicy eatables, alcoholic drinks, sunlight, anxiety, and certain bacteria in the intestines. Some of the common symptoms of this disorder include facial reddening, inflammation, reddish bumps, dry skin, and sensitive skin.
- Burns – Burns are known to be emergencies, for which immediate medical assistance is highly recommended. These are divided into three categories according to their severity and indicators i.e. First Degree, Second Degree, and Third Degree.
- Tinea Versicolor – In this condition, a person might experience the appearance of whitish, tanned, brownish, pinkish, or reddish spots on the skin. The appearance of these spots might be light or dark than your original skin tone. A person might notice dryness, itchiness, and flakes in the affected skin area. These spots might fade away in the cold season, and resurface in the summers & spring season.
- Contact Dermatitis – Often caused by the allergens, a rash with noticeable edges might appear on the affected skin area. A person might experience itchiness, redness, rawness, and flaking in the affected area. Also, oozy or crusty blisters might get formed on the skin.
- Strawberry Nevus – These are red or purple colored bumpy marks on the face, head, back, or chest. Mostly, these are either birthmarks or might develop during young age. As a child grows, these become smaller and fade away in the end.
- Eczema – Eczema is a common problem in which yellowish or whitish crusty patches are formed on the skin that flake-off. Many people also mostly experience dry flaky skin on the face due to eczema. A person might also notice redness, itchiness, and oiliness in the affected skin areas. Also, the hair might start falling out from the affected skin area.
- Bleeding Into The Skin – This is another critical situation in which getting immediate medical attention is highly advised. In this condition, a blood vessel might start leaking or rupture under the skin itself. Thus, a person might see some small reddish dots or purplish big patch under the skin. The causes of this condition can be an injury or some underlying illness.
- Vitiligo – In this condition, the skin color giving cells are destroyed due to autoimmune body responses. This condition can happen in two pattern types, namely Focal and Segmental. In the former, a few small patches appear that might combine later on. In the latter, one half of the body might become discolored. Also, a person might experience premature hair graying on the head and face.
- Stasis Ulcer – Stasis ulcer is the advanced stage of stasis dermatitis. The main cause of this problem is the lack of blood flow. Thus, it mainly happens in body areas like feet and lower legs. A person might experience the formation of sore, unevenly-shaped, and skin-deep seeping wounds crusts.
