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.
Genetics: Your natural skin tone and pigmentation can vary across different body parts due to genetic factors. Moisture Levels: Dry skin can appear duller and paler. If your legs are drier than the rest of your body, they may look paler.
Vitiligo is a long-term condition where pale white patches develop on the skin. It's caused by the lack of melanin, which is the pigment in skin.
Unless pale skin is accompanied by pale lips, tongue, palms of the hands, inside of the mouth, and lining of the eyes, it is probably not a serious condition and does not require treatment. General paleness affects the entire body.
Treatment of Pale Skin
Eating a nutrient-rich, balanced diet. Taking iron, vitamin B12, or folate supplements, or consuming folate-rich foods. Wearing loose clothing and staying hydrated. Consuming glucose tablets or fast-acting carbohydrates if the patient has low blood sugar.
Paleness may be the result of decreased blood supply to the skin. It can also be due to decreased number of red blood cells (anemia). Paleness of the skin is not the same as loss of pigment from the skin. Paleness is related to blood flow in the skin rather than deposit of melanin in the skin.
Having pale skin is challenging because it may look dull and unhealthy. There are multiple reasons for your skin to turn pale. These include: Anemia [1]
Problem 1 - the skin on the legs has fewer sebaceous glands which are what provides moisture. Problem 2 - there are fewer melanocytes in the legs. These are what stimulate melanin production. Problem 3 - dead skin cells form a barrier to UV radiation and lotions.
Paleness can also be caused by environmental and dietary factors, such as cold temperatures, frostbite, dehydration, scurvy, or lack of sun exposure. Various diseases, including anemia, and certain medications or illicit drugs can also cause ongoing paleness.
As we age, the veins in our legs can lose their elasticity, weakening the one-way valves that keep blood flowing back to the heart. This can result in blood pooling and subsequent discoloration.
Phlegmasia alba dolens (also colloquially known as milk leg or white leg; not to be confused with phlegmasia cerulea dolens) is part of a spectrum of diseases related to deep vein thrombosis. Historically, it was commonly seen during pregnancy and in mothers who have just given birth.
Deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D and vitamin E can cause white patches on the skin. While harmless, these white spots indicate that you need to eat a healthy, balanced diet.
The average age of onset of vitiligo is in the mid-twenties, but it can appear at any age. The size and number of patches varies from person to person. The condition tends to progress over time, with larger areas of the skin losing pigment.
Vitiligo causes your skin to lose color or pigmentation. Smooth white or light areas called macules or patches appear on your skin. It generally starts on your hands, forearms, feet and face. Globally, about 1% of the population has vitiligo.
The role and application of Longlegs' heavy, whitish makeup are an aspect of Longlegs' glam rock backstory, but Perkins was inspired by a decidedly non-glam rocker when writing the script. “The pale makeup is Bob Dylan,” said Perkins.
If you've got pale legs, avoid white shorts and choose a pair in a colour that provides a little more contrast, such as navy or black. None of this is intended to give you a complex, just a better understanding of your own body.
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen. Without enough hemoglobin and oxygen, the skin can turn pale. Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type, and it involves a person not having enough iron. This can occur when the body is unable to absorb iron correctly or when bleeding depletes iron levels.
Severe dehydration: Symptoms include dizziness, sunken eyes, fainting, rapid breathing, and a racing heart. Children may lose over 10% of their body weight. This type of dehydration requires immediate medical attention. You may be treated with IV fluids containing salt.
Sleep deprivation also was associated with paler skin, more wrinkles or fine lines, and more droopy corners of the mouth. People also looked sadder when sleep-deprived than after normal sleep, and sadness was related to looking fatigued.
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.
It's true, darker skin ages slower than lighter skin. You could even say that the darker the skin color, the slower it ages.
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. In many cases, skin discoloration on the legs is due to a skin condition.
Visit your healthcare provider if: Paleness isn't getting better, or it's getting worse. Only one part of your body is unusually pale. You have additional symptoms like pain, difficulty breathing or a rapid heart rate.