Skin discoloration on the legs can occur for several reasons including psoriasis, sunburn, and vitiligo. Some causes are temporary and will clear up independently, while others may require long-term treatment.
Vitiligo occurs when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) die or stop producing melanin — the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes color. The involved patches of skin become lighter or white. It's unclear exactly what causes these pigment cells to fail or die.
Vitiligo typically begins on your hands, forearms, feet and face, but can develop on any part of your body, including your mucous membranes (the moist lining of your mouth, nose, genital and rectal areas), your eyes and inner ears.
Triggers. It's possible that vitiligo may be triggered by particular events, such as: stressful events, such as childbirth. skin damage, such as severe sunburn or cuts (this is known as the Koebner response) hormonal changes to the body, such as puberty.
Vitiligo is a common pigmentary disorder caused by the destruction of functional melanocytes. Vitamin D is an essential hormone synthesized in the skin and is responsible for skin pigmentation. Low levels of vitamin D have been observed in vitiligo patients and in patients with other autoimmune diseases.
While it might start as a cosmetic issue, discoloration due to circulatory problems can worsen if left untreated. Chronic venous insufficiency, one of the leading causes of leg discoloration, can result in serious complications, including venous ulcers, infections, and even deep vein thrombosis.
Currently, no safe or proven method exists to increase melanin – the pigment, or color, in a person's skin, hair, and eyes. A person's genetics determine their natural melanin levels and skin color. In general, people who have darker skin tones have more melanin than those with lighter skin tones.
Pityriasis versicolor can sometimes be confused with vitiligo, as they both cause the skin to become discoloured in patches.
Leg pigmentation changes, often called venous stasis dermatitis, manifest through changes in the skin color on the feet or lower legs. They stem from underlying circulation issues. This condition arises when the leg veins struggle to pump blood back to the heart effectively, leading to blood accumulation in the legs.
No drug can stop the process of vitiligo — the loss of pigment cells (melanocytes). But some drugs, used alone, in combination or with light therapy, can help restore some color. Drugs that control inflammation. Applying a corticosteroid cream to affected skin might return color.
Call your health care provider for an appointment if you have: Skin discoloration that causes significant concern. Persistent, unexplained darkening or lightening of the skin. Any skin sore or lesion that changes shape, size, or color may be a sign of skin cancer.
In most of the patients (134;68.02%), vitiligo started between 40 and 50 years of age; 41 (20.81%) patients reported onset of vitiligo between the age of 51 and 60 years; 18 (9.13%) between 61 and 70 years, and 4 (2.03%) patients at >70 years of age.
Compared to the rest of the body, skin on the legs does not produce the same amount of melanin, which results in legs getting less tan. Skin on the legs is thicker and harder and the UV light from the sun or sunbeds cannot easily penetrate it.
Diabetic dermopathy (shin spots)
Also known as shin spots, this condition is harmless. The spots look like red or brown round patches or lines in the skin and are common in people with diabetes. They don't hurt, itch, or open up.
With proper treatment, blood is redirected to flow through healthy veins. This can reverse leg discoloration due to poor circulation and improve overall vascular health! Treatments include: Radiofrequency Ablation.
Conclusions. A thorough systemic examination should be performed in patients presenting with hyperpigmentation of the skin. It should be investigated for a deficiency of vitamin B12, besides ruling out the other common causes.
It's the presence of iron that gives hemosiderin a rusty, brownish-yellow color. Over time, areas of hemosiderin staining can change color and intensify, becoming dark brown or even black. In most cases, hemosiderin staining that has been caused by physical injury will gradually disappear as the damaged tissues heal.
The signs of vitiligo can appear at any stage of life, and include: Loss of skin color in patches, usually seen first on your face, hands, arms, legs, and feet. Premature whitening of your body hair, including facial hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Loss of color of the tissues inside your nose.
About 15 to 25 percent of people with vitiligo are also affected by at least one other autoimmune disorder, particularly autoimmune thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis , pernicious anemia, Addison disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis ...
Vitiligo may flare or spread due to: Stress. Sunburn, cuts, or other skin damage. Chemical exposure.