Although many patients have concerns about discolored skin, there is no standard treatment to restore flawless skin. For this reason, it is essential to seek physician intervention to appreciate the cause of skin discoloration El Paso and thus develop an ideal treatment that will restore your self-confidence. Some of the most common reasons for skin discoloration include:
Vitiligo
This condition occurs when melanin-producing cells malfunction or die. For this reason, patients report patches on the skin without melanin—patients with this condition report symptoms in their skin, hair, and mouth. Although there is no cure for vitiligo, there are treatments to manage symptoms; for example, physicians may recommend medications, surgery, or light therapy to restore skin color.
Cancer treatment
It is common for patients undergoing specific therapies like cancer chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to develop skin discoloration. This condition may occur as an allergic reaction to an injection, thus causing symptoms like bruising, or it might occur as a side effect of medication, thus causing symptoms like swelling.
Sunburn
One of the main reasons physicians recommend patients cover the skin from direct sunlight is the complications like skin discoloration that may develop upon skin contact with ultraviolet (UV) rays. Patients usually report their skin color changing to red or pink. Repeated exposure to the sun causes accelerated aging and the formation of dark spots on the skin.
Eczema
Patients with this skin condition develop inflammation on the skin. The resulting dry and itchy patches on the skin may cause an unattractive appearance and thus lower patients’ self-esteem. Symptoms are different depending on skin tone. For example, dark-skinned patients may report brown, purple, or gray patches, while light-skinned patients present with red patches.
Contact dermatitis
This condition occurs as an allergic reaction upon exposure of the skin to allergens that might irritate the skin. Other symptoms patients may present with include inflammation and swelling that causes the formation of bumps and redness. Some irritants may even cause the skin to peel which necessitates emergency care to prevent infection from occurring.
Rosacea
The symptoms associated with these conditions happen mainly on the cheeks, chin, forehead, and nose—the skin changes to pink or red, especially for patients with lighter skin. The main risk factors that increase a person’s chance of developing rosacea are being a woman and having a positive family history of skin discoloration.
Tinea versicolor
This condition happens when a patient’s skin is infected with fungi causing the appearance of light or dark patches, depending on skin tone. Patients should avoid direct sun exposure or humid environments that might cause the fungi to spread.
Age spots
This concern is prevalent among the older population. Age spots are small dark spots that develop on the skin due to overexposure to the sun. This condition happens after age 50 and involves flat, tan, and oval-shaped spots.
Contact Desert West Vein & Surgery Center if you have skin discoloration concerns to book a comprehensive physical examination for an accurate diagnosis and suitable treatment plan that will improve your appearance.
