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.
Vitiligo is caused by the lack of a pigment called melanin in the skin. Melanin is produced by skin cells called melanocytes, and it gives your skin its colour. In vitiligo, there are not enough working melanocytes to produce enough melanin in your skin. This causes white patches to develop on your skin or hair.
The most common causes of dry white patches on the skin are eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and nutritional deficiencies.
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.
Include Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid: White patches on the skin may be due to the deficiency of Vitamin B12 and folic acid. These nutrients are essential for melanin production and may help pigmentation.
"White spots on the skin are related to a lack of melanin, a pigment that the skin produces in response to sun exposure to defend itself, which can depend on a variety of factors, from hereditary to the presence of a fungus.
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.
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.
Vitiligo is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color. This happens when melanocytes – skin cells that make pigment – are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to turn a milky-white color.
Livedo reticularis is thought to be due to spasms of the blood vessels or a problem of the blood flow near the skin surface. It makes the skin look mottled in sort of a net pattern with clear borders. The condition most often shows up on the legs. Sometimes livedo reticularis is simply the result of being chilled.
Generally, a discolored patch on skin isn't cause for concern. Skin discoloration can be triggered by a number of causes, including: Atopic dermatitis (eczema). Sometimes a small area of skin becomes irritated, which results in a patch of skin that's lighter in pigment than is the skin around it (pityriasis alba).
Calcium deposits under your skin look like firm white or yellow bumps. The bumps may be different sizes and sometimes show up in clusters. At first, you may notice redness or itching on your skin. But most people don't have any symptoms before calcium deposits appear.
Yes, leg discoloration can indicate serious underlying issues like chronic venous insufficiency or peripheral artery disease. It's important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis.
Vitiligo may flare or spread due to: Stress. Sunburn, cuts, or other skin damage. Chemical exposure.
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.
Melanoma signs include: A large brownish spot with darker speckles. A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds. A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, pink, white, blue or blue-black.
The hyperpigmentation related to vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in darker-skinned patients. Few other cases of skin hyperpigmentation due to vitamin B12 deficiency have been reported in the literature. The mechanism of hyperpigmentation is due to increased melanin synthesis rather than a defect in melanin.
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.
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.
Vitiligo occurs when immune cells destroy the cells that make brown pigment (melanocytes). This destruction is thought to be due to an autoimmune problem. An autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system, which normally protects the body from infection, attacks and destroys healthy body tissue instead.
A 10-year retrospective study involving 3,280 patients showed that comorbid autoimmune conditions occur in approximately 23% of vitiligo patients, including thyroid disease (TD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and type 1 diabetes mellitus (35).