Why are brown spots suddenly appearing on my body?

Author: Maybelle Gulgowski  |  Last update: Monday, March 31, 2025

These spots can develop due to a variety of factors, including sun exposure, hormonal changes, inflammation, or underlying medical conditions.

Why do I keep getting random brown spots on my body?

Age spots are caused by overactive pigment cells. Ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up the production of melanin, a natural pigment that gives skin its color. On skin that has had years of sun exposure, age spots appear when melanin becomes clumped or is produced in high concentrations.

Why am I getting dark spots out of nowhere?

Dark spots commonly occur as people age. They are often the result of past sun exposure. But they can also be due to some skin conditions, medications, and certain medical conditions.

Why am I seeing brown spots?

Most eye floaters are caused by age-related changes that occur as the jelly-like substance (vitreous) inside your eyes liquifies and contracts. Scattered clumps of collagen fibers form within the vitreous and can cast tiny shadows on your retina. The shadows you see are called floaters.

What is the disease that causes brown spots on skin?

A seborrheic keratosis (seb-o-REE-ik ker-uh-TOE-sis) is a common noncancerous (benign) skin growth. People tend to get more of them as they get older. Seborrheic keratoses are usually brown, black or light tan. The growths (lesions) look waxy or scaly and slightly raised.

Doctor explains DIABETIC DERMOPATHY (AKA DIABETIC SHIN SPOTS) – plus causes and prevention

What vitamin deficiency causes brown spots?

Some deficiencies are thought to cause brown spots, for example vitamin B12. Eating a varied and balanced diet will help to minimize the risk of deficiencies.

When should I be worried about brown spots?

You should also see a dermatologist to make sure the dark spot is only cosmetic. A dermatologist can diagnose age spots with a visual exam. Age spots are harmless. However, if you have spots that grow quickly, look different from your other spots, or seem unusual, you should see a health care provider.

What are the brown spots on my skin to worry about?

Skin inflammation, injuries, and certain skin conditions can trigger excess melanin production, forming brown spots in affected areas. Health conditions like melasma and lentigines can cause brown spots to develop, often requiring medical attention.

What do liver spots look like?

Liver spots are flat, dark patches of skin. They are not dangerous or uncomfortable. But you may want treatment for cosmetic reasons. Your dermatologist can recommend creams, lotions, gels or in-office procedures to lighten skin.

How to get rid of brown spots suddenly appearing on skin?

Age spot treatments include:
  1. Medications. Applying prescription bleaching creams (hydroquinone) alone or with retinoids (tretinoin) and a mild steroid might gradually fade the spots over several months. ...
  2. Laser and intense pulsed light. ...
  3. Freezing (cryotherapy). ...
  4. Dermabrasion. ...
  5. Microdermabrasion. ...
  6. Chemical peel.

Can stress cause brown spots on skin?

Stress can trigger an increase in melanin production, leading to dark spots and uneven skin tone. To manage stress and reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation, it's important to practice self-care and stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, exercise and getting adequate sleep.

Does apple cider vinegar really get rid of age spots?

There's also evidence that it may help manage dry skin, acne, and age spots, among other conditions. ACV is generally safe to use, but it does come with a risk of irritation or worsening skin symptoms, especially for people with sensitive skin or skin conditions.

Can brown spots appear overnight?

Some of them appeared overnight. Many different factors can trigger your skin to make extra melanin, leading to disfiguring spots and patches on your skin that look darker than the rest of your skin. Some conditions, events, and substances that can leave dark patches on your skin include: Hormonal imbalance.

How to remove age spots with hydrogen peroxide?

Gently massage it into the skin for a couple of seconds. Let it sit and rinse: Allow the hydrogen peroxide to sit on the age spots for about 5 minutes. If you feel extreme irritation, rinse it immediately. But if you feel only mild tingling, let it sit for another 5 to 10 minutes.

What mineral deficiency causes age spots?

age pigment or lipofuscin, was proposed to be such a material. It is a brown pigment that generally increases with age, and its formation is increased by consumption of unsaturated fats, by vitamin E deficiency, by stress, and by exposure to excess estrogen."

What deficiency causes brown spots on skin?

Melasma, a common skin condition causing brown or gray patches, can be influenced by deficiencies in vitamin B12 and iron. Addressing these deficiencies through diet or supplements, along with protective measures against sun exposure, can help manage melasma.

What does a cancerous keratosis look like?

Rough, dry or scaly patch of skin, usually less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter. Flat to slightly raised patch or bump on the top layer of skin. In some cases, a hard, wartlike surface. Color variations, including pink, red or brown.

What disease causes brown spots on body?

Melasma: This is a common skin condition that usually affects facial skin and causes brown patches. It affects females more often than males. Triggers of melasma can include sun exposure and hormonal changes. Vitiligo: This disease can affect any part of the body.

Why am I seeing dark spots?

Floaters usually happen because of normal changes in your eyes. As you age, tiny strands of your vitreous (the gel-like fluid that fills your eye) stick together and cast shadows on your retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye). Those shadows appear as floaters.

What are the warning signs of a detached retina?

Symptoms of retinal detachment can include the following: reduced vision, the sudden appearance of dark floating shapes and flashes of light in your vision, and loss of side vision. Contacting an eye doctor, called an ophthalmologist, right away can help save your vision.

Can dehydration cause floaters?

Dehydration is another cause of eye floaters. The vitreous humour in your eyes is made of 98% of water. If you're constantly dehydrated, this gel-like substance can lose shape or shrink. This can lead to the occurrence of floaters because the proteins in this substance do not remain dissolved and thus, they solidify.

When should you get brown spots checked?

Keep an eye on spots that look different to others on your body, spots that have changed in size, shape, colour or texture, and sores that itch, bleed, or don't heal. If you notice any of these signs, see your doctor and seek their expert opinion.

Can anxiety cause brown spots on skin?

Chronic, long-term stress can manifest on the skin as hyperpigmentation. A hormone called Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, often in response to biological stress. This hormone triggers melanogenesis, the process of skin pigment production.

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