Pale brown spots on the body. Why do dark spots appear on the skin? How to get rid of pigmentation on the skin.
Hello dear readers! The article discusses brown spots on the skin. We talk about the causes of the appearance of spots and their possible treatment. We discuss skin melanoma and what to do if you have been diagnosed with such a diagnosis.
Spots on the skin Brown color arise for reasons largely beyond the control of the individual. Excessive deposition of melanin (melasma) leads to the staining of some parts of the body in a dark color.
Also, too much exposure to the sun or exposure to certain medications are also some of the reasons why you have these unwanted spots on your body. These may seem like simple brown spots on the skin, but these spots have their own meaning. Take a look at the different types of dark spots that can appear on your skin, as well as what causes it.
How to get rid of skin pigmentation
Therefore, it is important to consult a dermatologist to find out the type of dark spots you have and the exact factors that are causing it. Once the problem is correctly diagnosed, both conditions that cause dark spots and hyperpigmentation will be treated at the same time.
Causes of brown spots on the skin:
- genetic features (phenotype);
- age after 50 years;
- pregnancy;
- any hormonal disorder;
- psychological trauma, stress;
- excessive exposure to the sun;
- taking certain drugs;
- allergic reactions;
- disruption of the digestive and endocrine systems;
- Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome, when the adrenal cortex produces an excessive amount of hormones.
Particular attention should be paid to people whose occupation is associated with chemicals, frequent exposure to the sun and sensitive to ultraviolet rays.
A look at different treatment options
The good news is that there are many ways to help you get rid of unwanted blemishes and even your skin tone. Some of the treatments that can remove dark spots on the skin. 
Prevention is better than cure, and when it comes to dark spots on the skin, there are other precautions you can take. If you want to prevent dark spots, here are a few useful tips which can actually prevent this.
Nevus Becker
The main group is adolescents aged 10-15 years, less often men and women aged 25-30. Occurs in the area of the shoulders, chest, back, legs. Looks like a yellow-brown stain irregular shape with increased hairiness. Pigmentation disorders are associated with long exposure to the sun and autoimmune diseases.
melanosis dubreuil
Some experts correlate the type of disease as the initial stage of cancer. It is an outgrowth of irregular shape, ranging in size from 2 to 8 cm. Over time, it turns from a light brown spot into a dark one, nodules, erosion can be observed. Around the focus there are freckles, segments of keratosis. With neglected treatment, transformation into skin cancer is possible.
The bottom line is dark spots on the skin that can be treated and prevented. Again, feel free to consult a dermatologist about your blemishes. Brown spots on the skin usually do not indicate the cause of the anxiety. These natural features may appear as small brown spots from exposure to ultraviolet light. Seborrheic keratoses are also brown spots on the skin. Although they may appear disturbing, they are also benign. However, patches of brown skin may indicate more serious problem.
Black acanthosis
A rare disease in which black spots form in places of large folds (neck area, mammary glands, under the knees, on the elbows). The main causes of occurrence are considered to be a violation of the endocrine system when taking hormonal drugs, acute diseases of the kidneys and adrenal glands. Black acanthosis may accompany other cancers or be congenital.
Brown spots on the skin, also called liver spots, can occur when extra melanin sticks together. Exposure to the sun and tanning beds, both of which emit ultraviolet light, can hasten the development of these liver spots; however, it is often required that the pigment become prominent enough to be noticed. These harmless blemishes do not require treatment, but sufferers can use skin whitening products to relieve the blemishes.
Although not usually dangerous, these skin lesions sometimes resemble skin cancers. Suborrheic keratoses occur as a by-product of aging and may appear after sunburn or dermatitis. These lesions are easily removed using liquid nitrogen, curettage and cauterization, laser surgery, or shaving biopsy. Melanoma Melanoma can appear as a shifting mole with irregular borders in different shades of brown, among other colors. However, with early detection and treatment, 95% of melanoma cases are curable. Most forms of melanoma develop quickly. According to the American Cancer Society, treatment for melanoma may include removal surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. Signs of a brown spot Age spots can develop in people with dark or light undertones. Dry skin can be caused by factors as diverse as extreme heat or cold weather and disorders of the autoimmune system.
coffee stain
With this type, spots appear on the skin of brown color with a uniform color and a clear contour. The main sites of distribution are the face, back, hands. Spots of a darker shade sometimes appear on the surface of the spots. They appear at birth or spontaneously in early childhood. This is due to the presence of such a pathology in the phenotype.
Often, dry skin responds to lifestyle changes and lots of moisture, but in those with brown skin, it can leave areas of hyperpigmentation. You may need to see a dermatologist. Dermatitis is a general term for skin rashes caused by irritation. Contact dermatitis can be caused by soap, laundry detergent, or fabric softener, with clothing rubbing against your body irritating sensitive skin. Atopic dermatitis is common in dry climates, and seborrheic dermatitis sometimes affects parts of the body rich in oil-producing sebaceous glands.
Lentigo
Occurs at any age. These are benign spots of a dark color, smooth. Their size is about 2 cm in diameter. The main locations are the face, neck, hands and shins. Among the causes of occurrence are gene mutations, frequent injury to the skin, burns and chemical exposure, hormonal imbalance, infectious diseases of internal organs.
Lack of B vitamins or too a large number vitamin A can cause dermatitis symptoms such as itching and discoloration. Eczema Eczema, another cause of skin redness and itching, is considered to be an immune system disorder. If you treat a case of eczema the wrong way, your skin can crack and break, leaving it vulnerable to bacterial infection. The hands and feet are the parts of the body most commonly affected by eczema, although flare-ups can also occur on the chest. Psoriasis Psoriasis causes a rapid buildup of dry, dead cells that develop a scaly appearance. If your dark patches of skin are rough, flaky, and bleed easily, psoriasis may be to blame. This disorder is chronic and may be accompanied by arthritis. Those who suffer from psoriasis may experience thickening of the nails and stiffness of the joints. Outbreaks can occur for weeks or months on end and then stop for a while before eventually returning. Stress and certain prescription medications, such as lithium and beta blockers, can worsen psoriasis symptoms. Taking warm rather than hot showers, avoiding baths, and opting for a moisturizing shower gel containing cocoa or shea butter instead of regular soap can help relieve dryness and itching. Always apply after-shower lotion, preferably a fragrance-free, dye-free formula designed for sensitive skin. Colloidal oatmeal clots or body washes can help relieve severe itching. In some cases, antifungal treatment may also be required. According to the doctor, the hyperpigmentation inherent in eczema may be more pronounced in individuals with dark skin, and the presentation of the disease may differ from light skin. A sure sign of eczema is intense itching, so if dark, dry patches on the skin can also scratch a lot, see a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis.
- Eczema leaves the skin dry, rough, flaky, and often quite itchy.
- Red spots caused by eczema may then turn dark brown.
Chloasma
Large dark brown spots. The outlines are reminiscent of geographical map, are located on the face, back, genitals. In winter, the spots become lighter, with the slightest exposure to the sun, they darken. In most cases, this disease affects women, less often men.
The main reason is the violation hormonal background- ovarian dysfunction, pregnancy, menopause.
If too much melanin is produced in one area, hyperpigmentation or "brown spots" can occur. Brown spots can be flat or raised, round or oval, and can appear anywhere on the skin, singly or in groups. Common brown spots include freckles, moles, and age spots. Although usually harmless, brown spots can be worrisome when they suddenly become itchy. It is important to determine the cause of the itching. Prolonged itching can not only lead to lack of sleep and fatigue, but can lead to a worsening condition that can be better handled if caught early.
The most harmless type of pigmentation is freckles. They arise as a result of increased sensitivity to light, hereditary predisposition. In winter, they are less noticeable, in spring brown spots on the skin are strongly manifested. Photos and names of each type of disease are presented below.
What is skin melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant tumor skin, which develops from age spots. In rare cases, it can be located on the mucous membrane of the eyes, nasal sinuses, female external genitalia.
Superficial proliferating melanoma
There are different types of itchy brown spots. Location on the body also helps classify spots. Some prefer oily areas such as the upper back or chest, while others tend to occur in more distal areas such as the wrists and ankles. Causes Knowing the cause of brown spots is important because some cannot be ignored and are dangerous if left untreated. They can be caused by overexposure to the sun, aging, genetics, hormones, fungi, or disease. Warning Some persistent itchy brown spots, such as melanomas, can be fatal. Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that can spread to almost any organ in the body, especially the brain, lungs, liver, and bones. The first signs of melanoma are often a change in the shape, size, color, or texture of an existing mole or the development of a new one. strange looking. Unusual characteristics of moles that may indicate melanoma include asymmetrical shape, irregular border, uneven color distribution, and large diameter. Treatment The type of brown spot determines the course of treatment. Some require surgery, while others simply need an over-the-counter cream. Spots where self-treatment does not exist, as with a lichen plan, require prescription-based steroids. More dangerous spots, such as melanoma, require more attention. If caught early, the growth can be removed by surgery alone or in combination with a sentinel lymph node biopsy. Common, late-stage treatments for melanoma vary depending on the patient's conditions and may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Prognosis Most brown spots are cosmetic rather than dangerous. For example, linoleum fungus is not contagious, and dermatofibromas are not cancerous. However, for hazardous spots, the prognosis is usually very good in its early and intermediate stages. To play an active role in preventing spots from getting worse, examine all areas of the skin monthly for growing, changing, or itchy spots. It is wise to see a doctor before trying to treat or remove a brown spot on your own.
- Spots can appear for various reasons.
- Sometimes the cause is unknown.
Most of the time it doesn't cause concern. initial stage, on appearance looks like a birthmark. But within the next 12 months, the neoplasm metastasizes to the lymph nodes, blood vessels, and then to all organs.
What does melanoma look like? Outwardly, it resembles a dense knot, with a convex part., It has a dark brown or black color. Its diameter is from 0.5 to 3 cm. Sometimes the disease is accompanied by itching and a bleeding eroded surface.
Cosmetic procedures for skin whitening
This melanoma usually appears as a flat or barely raised lesion, often with irregular borders and color variations. These melanoma lesions most often appear on the trunks of men, the legs of women, and the upper parts of both sexes. These lesions are most commonly diagnosed in patients in their 30s to about half of these melanomas occurring in pre-existing moles. one.
How it progresses: Although it can spread, it spreads along the top layer of the skin, the epidermis, for months to years before it penetrates deeper into the skin. Signs: Darkening in one part of a pre-existing mole or the appearance of a new mole on unaffected, normal skin.
Read more about melanoma in the following video:
Causes
- exposure to UV rays, prolonged exposure to the sun;
- electromagnetic influence;
- mechanical damage to moles;
- genetic predisposition;
- multiplicity of moles;
- age after 50 years;
- active effect of chemicals on the skin;
- pregnancy;
- melanosis Dubrey;
- disruption of the endocrine system;
- general condition of the immune system.
Note that this disease affects people of any race, gender and age. Forms of melanoma:
- malignant lentigo - prevails in the elderly;
- superficially common - observed in middle-aged people;
- nodular melanoma ( average age- 54 years).
Brown spots on the skin, photos and names are presented below.
Signs of skin melanoma
If you look at the photo, the initial stage of melanoma looks like an ordinary birthmark. That is why it is difficult to diagnose skin cancer right away.
Signs of skin melanoma:
- fuzzy outlines;
- symmetrical shape;
- uneven staining;
- diameter over 6 mm;
- change in spot density;
- bleeding, burning
In women, the presence of melanoma can be detected by formations on the chest and legs, in men - on the arms, chest, back.
Such signs of melanoma of the skin indicate the initial stage of the disease, when the treatment will be effective in 96%.
In the later stages of melanoma development, there is a violation of the integrity of the formation, active bleeding, the appearance of pigmentation around the nevus.
The malignant form of melanoma is able to actively and quickly metastasize. In this case, the patient has persistent headaches, chronic cough, swollen lymph nodes, less often convulsions and sudden weight loss.
Life expectancy in melanoma
The prognosis of life with melanoma directly depends on its stage. There are 4 stages:
1 stage
At this stage, healing occurs in most cases. The thickness of the spot is about 1 mm with signs of integrity violations, up to 2 mm in the case of a solid surface. Tumor cells do not germinate in the tissue, located in the outer cell layer. At stage 1, it is difficult to detect the presence of cancer, since melanoma is similar to a birthmark. The average survival during the 5th term is 86-90%
2 stage
Neoplasm 2 mm thick with a damaged surface, up to 4 mm - intact. In the second stage, ulcerations are also observed. Melanoma has not yet spread to the lymph nodes and vessels that are nearby. Survival prognosis similar to prognosis 1st stage — 86-90%
3 stage
The thickness of the tumor is more than 4 mm. Pathological processes affect the lymph nodes and nearby vessels. The prognosis of survival depends on the lesion: if one node is affected - 50%, if several are affected - 20%. It is at this stage that doctors resort to radiation therapy.
4 stage
The presence of multiple metastases in the lymph nodes is observed, ulcers appear on the surface of the neoplasm. There is damage to tissues, blood vessels, internal organs. Even after the complete extermination of cancer, tumor cells will still migrate with the bloodstream throughout the body, gradually settling on tissues. Survival at this stage is about 5%.
Methods for treating melanoma
Any changes in the "mole" should be subject to intervention:
- surgical;
- chemotherapy;
- immunotherapy;
- radiation therapy
At the first stage, an operation is performed with the capture of healthy tissues. At the second, in addition to excision of the neoplasm itself, a biopsy of the lymph nodes is performed. In case of a bad result, the entire group of lymph nodes of this group is removed.
At the third stage, all lymph nodes that are close to the melanoma are excised. Radiation or chemical therapy is carried out in the affected area. At the fourth stage, formations that interfere with “functioning” are removed, since a complete cure is impossible.
Chemotherapy is aimed at blocking the cellular processes of accelerated division of cancers, immunotherapy is based on taking immunomodulatory drugs that can stop the development of metastases. Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells with ionizing radiation.
You will learn about another way to treat melanoma from the following video:
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Or face. What it is and where they come from, not everyone knows. Some start looking for information about them on the Internet or books, and some go to see a specialist. And it is the second option that is correct. If dark, white or light brown spots appear on the body, then you should immediately contact a specialist. Only he can make the correct diagnosis and, if necessary, select the appropriate treatment.
Causes of brown spots
Many people know the fact that special pigments, such as melanin or carotene, are responsible for skin color. In the event that any of them is produced by the body in insufficient or, conversely, in excess, brown spots may appear (what it is, only a doctor can establish). At the moment, there are several main reasons for their formation:
- hormonal changes;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- diseases of internal organs;
- senile changes in the body;
- negative impact of ultraviolet radiation;
- damage.
Thus, we can safely say that brown spots on the body are a signal of changes in the functioning of the body. What it is is now known, which means that it is necessary to talk about how to determine the correct diagnosis.
How to determine the cause of their appearance? 
It has already been said that only an experienced specialist can make an accurate diagnosis. And here it should be especially noted that if brown spots appear on the body, then you will have to visit three doctors at once: and a gastroenterologist. Each of them will appoint the delivery of certain tests and conduct their own examination. And on the basis of the information received, an accurate diagnosis will be made.
But do not forget that in some cases there is simply no reason for concern. This applies to those cases when brown spots on the body (what it is, was described above) appear in pregnant women or in people over 50 years old. This is due to the fact that during the bearing of a child it changes greatly, which can lead to insufficient or excessive production of skin-coloring pigments. The same applies to the appearance of pigmentation at an older age.
However, no matter for what reason brown spots appeared on the body (what it is is now known), today there are several methods to get rid of them.
Ways to remove pigmentation of this type
So, after determining the exact cause of the formation of brown spots on the body, the doctor can advise a technique that allows you to get rid of them. Today there are several of them:
- Phototherapy. Considered the most effective way in the event that pigmentation has formed due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation or if the spots are age-related.
- Laser skin resurfacing. Effective in almost all cases.
- and bodies. It is this technique that is considered to be the most effective today. It allows you to remove even the largest and oldest stains in a few procedures, regardless of the nature of their appearance.
At the same time, it should be remembered that brown spots on the body (which only a doctor can say) that appear during pregnancy cannot be removed until the baby is born. In addition, in most cases, after delivery, they disappear on their own.
