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Brown spots on the legs of men, women and children
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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On the legs often reflect different states, according to which you can draw conclusions about the health of the body. Normally, the skin on the legs should be light and velvety. If there are any pathologies in the body, there can be various changes. Today, in medicine, the problem is increasingly encountered, in which brown patches on the legs are formed.
They are peculiar to people of any age and sex. The reasons for the formation of such spots are many. Diagnosis is the key to successful treatment and helps prevent pathology.
Epidemiology
According to statistics, only in 32% of cases stains on the legs are an independent disease, or skin reaction. In 68% of cases, they are one of the symptoms of diseases of internal organs. In 12% of cases, liver disease is indicated, in 9% - on kidney pathology, in 28% - on dysfunction or heart disease, blood vessels. The rest is due to other pathologies of internal organs.
In 54% it occurs in the elderly, in 27% in the adult population of reproductive age, 9% in children, 1% in newborns and 9% in adolescents. Women are at increased risk of developing pathology more than men, because they often use cosmetics and resort to various cosmetic procedures.
Risk factors
The risk group includes people with a tendency to allergic reactions and increased sensitivity of the skin. Also, people with metabolic disturbances, with pathologies of internal organs, in particular, with diseases of the kidneys, liver and thyroid gland, come here. People with these disorders have an increased synthesis of melanin, as a result of which a brown shade appears on the skin.
People with hormonal failures and reorganizations fall into the risk group: adolescents, women during pregnancy, elderly people. People who are often exposed to ultraviolet light, spend a lot of time in the sun, near artificial light lamps, have an increased tendency to develop spots. Ultraviolet is the main cause of photoaging, in which hyperpigmentation occurs in some areas of the skin.
Other reasons for the appearance of brown spots on the legs are here.
Symptoms of the brown spots on the legs
Symptoms are the appearance of brown spots. They are localized in different parts of the legs. Dimensions can be different, the intensity of coloring can also vary widely. Spots can appear and disappear, or be permanent. Under the influence of some factors, the intensity of the color may differ sharply.
The first sign is the change in skin color. Some parts of the skin on the legs begin to differ sharply from other areas. The color intensity can be different. Spots can be single, or multiple, can itch, cause burning, or do not manifest themselves in any way.
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Brown spots on the legs of a woman
The female part of the population is more prone to this pathology and the reasons for the development of spots are much greater, since a woman often exposes her feet to various factors, cosmetic agents. Sunburn, sunbeds, promote skin irritation and the appearance of spots. The shape and size may vary. Pigmented due to a violation of the synthesis of pigments in the skin layers, they are less dangerous. Vascular can be dangerous, because they have serious consequences and are based on blood flow disorders. Subdivided into edematous, inflammatory and hemorrhagic. Accompanied by an increase in blood vessels.
May be a sign of hormonal disorders, restructuring, dysfunction of various organs. Often observed against a background of hormonal imbalance, which accompanies changes in the female reproductive system. Appear during perestroika in adolescence, during pregnancy, a few days before menstruation, with dysfunction of the ovaries, during menopause. Often you have to deal with senile stains. They appear in connection with the age-related changes in the body, against photo-aging, various diseases (infectious, venereal, dermatological, rarely somatic, leprosy, erythema). Can be located in any area of the legs, often have an irregular shape, the edges are clearly localized. It can be found with erythema, toxicermy, vasculitis.
Purples serve as a direct indication of inflammation of the vessels, hemorrhage, chemical burn. The smallest of them (up to 1 cm), and called petechiae. There are also more prominent - purpurea, large - ecchymosis, or hematoma. Appear against the background of telangiectasias, in which the appearance of not only spots. Vessels with enlarged lumens are traced. They respond to a fever, prolonged stay in a stuffy room, accompany many physiological changes, are genetically conditioned. They represent a certain interest of lentigo - they become pronounced or begin to increase in size under the influence of various unfavorable factors. Some spots may be allergic, or due to a parasitic bacterial infection, a fungal infection. With increased sensitization of the body, irritation can occur on the action of synthetic tissues, drugs, animal wool.
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Brown spots on the legs of men
The representatives of the male population appear a little less often than women. Men are much less likely to manipulate, cosmetic procedures. But they are a sign of a serious pathological process. If all this is added to the weakness and yellowing of the sclera, you can talk with complete certainty about the inflammatory processes in the liver, or kidneys.
When spots appear as an independent feature, which is not associated with any other diseases, one can speak of a worsening of blood circulation, as well as of an accidental reaction from the skin. It is quite possible to press clothes, or irritate any fabric. Avoid wearing tight clothing that compresses the body. If such spots persist for several weeks, you need to check the heart - perhaps they are associated with the development of heart disease and circulatory system.
In men, spots on the legs often appear against the background of diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis and other disorders of metabolic processes. This is a distinctive sign of these diseases, manifested exclusively in men, in rare cases can occur in women. With the localization of spots in the region of the feet, we can speak of a stop hyperhidrosis. When the first signs of the disease appear, a Minor test is performed for diagnosis, as well as a specific examination and a survey. Rarely, instrumental diagnostics is used.
Thus, men need to double attentively to their health. Unlike women, in men, brown spots on the legs are almost always a sign of a serious illness, the development of which can be prevented if timely measures are taken.
Brown spots on the legs of a child
Determine the exact cause of the appearance of brown spots on the legs in children is even more difficult than in adults, since these reasons may be even greater. In addition to the main reasons for the appearance of spots in adults, children also have their own, specific reasons, for example, mosquito bites. First, after a mosquito bite, a huge red spot often appears, which gradually develops into a brown stain. Pass these spots long enough: can persist on the skin up to 14 days and longer. It can also become a reaction to taking any medication, or food. Also, the cause of the disease can be diseases of the kidneys, pancreas, liver.
In most cases, such spots are detected by parents by chance, because they do not deliver any discomfort to the baby. In rare cases, attention is drawn to itching and burning. These spots are especially dangerous for newborns, since they can be a sign of erythema of toxic origin.
Etiological factor peculiar to children is pemphigus. So, with this disease, the spots appear on the legs, after which they quickly spread to the abdomen, back and other parts of the body. The main accumulation of spots occurs in the region of the thighs.
Quite similar in features of pathogenesis and etiology is Ritter's disease. This disease is characterized by a severe course. But the primary focus is not the legs, but the face of the child. It is on the face and should look for the root cause. This is often overlooked, carried away by the treatment of spots on the legs.
No less rare cause of the pathology is the allergy to various substances, food, and even tissues, bedding, toys. When breastfeeding a child, it is necessary to completely exclude from the diet of the mother foods that promote the development of allergies.
Complications and consequences
Stains on the legs are not just a cosmetic procedure. They can have serious consequences if they are a sign of a serious internal disease. For example, can accompany pain in the lower back, abdomen. Often this indicates liver and kidney damage. If you do not start treatment in a timely manner, kidney disease can begin to progress.
They can be harbingers of severe cardiac and vascular pathologies, which, in the absence of treatment, can progress to cardiac insufficiency. Even stains that have appeared for any frivolous reasons, for example, as a result of rubbing or squeezing clothes that have become small, can lead to serious consequences. Thus, prolonged rubbing and squeezing of the skin can disrupt the trophic and blood circulation in it, as a result of which the normal functioning of the muscular and circulatory systems is disrupted, which can lead to persistent disruption of blood circulation and innervation. The result, in the absence of treatment, can be deplorable - up to complete paralysis and muscle atrophy, complete loss of sensitivity.
The consequence can be chronic and stagnant dermatitis, various violations of venous circulation, inflammatory processes. Neurofibromatosis of the feet is no less dangerous . They can degenerate into a tumor, as malignant, for example, skin melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and benign. It must be remembered that any benign tumor at any time can show signs of growth and transform into a cancerous tumor.
Diagnostics of the brown spots on the legs
In order to diagnose the disease, when the first signs of spots appear, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. He will conduct an inspection. Usually the doctor first interrogates the patient, collects general information about him, an anamnesis of life. Here, pathology can hide. For example, a person can work in a production where a high level of allergens or other toxic factors. Accordingly, they can become a trigger mechanism for the development of spots. Eliminate them only by reducing the impact of negative factors. Thus, spots can be considered a sign of occupational disease.
Then the doctor conducts the collection of an anamnesis of the disease, on the basis of which he can judge the features of the course of the disease, predict its further development and outcome. The doctor needs to know how long and under what circumstances the spots have appeared, how they developed, whether they make the patient uncomfortable, whether there are circumstances in which the pathology increases or, conversely, decreases. It is necessary to know whether any treatment has been carried out, what its effectiveness is, and what other measures have been taken. Based on this, one can already assume the cause, which provoked the disease.
Then the doctor examines the patient. Usually classical methods of research are used, such as palpation, percussion, auscultation. During palpation the doctor probes possible lesions, assesses the degree of hyperemia, swelling of tissues, local temperature. When auscultation, the doctor listens for breathing, palpitations. With percussion, you can also identify multiple lesions, for example, foci of inflammation, swelling, and seals.
If necessary, laboratory and instrumental methods of investigation may be prescribed, which depend on the organ in which the possible pathology is located.
Analyzes
The most commonly prescribed clinical tests: blood, urine, feces. They allow us to assess the overall orientation of the processes occurring in the body. May indicate an inflammatory, infectious, or allergic process. You can also roughly guess which system of organs is the main pathological process, what is its severity. For example, if you detect a large amount of protein in the urine, you can talk about the development of the inflammatory process in the kidneys.
Based on these general data, you can determine the course of further diagnosis. So, if the analysis shows a high content of eosinophils and an elevated level of histamine, an allergic process can be assumed. To clarify the data, allergens are prescribed, the analysis for the content of the total and specific immunoglobulin E, on the level of histamine. A detailed immunogram may be required that will display the current state of the immune system.
If there is a suspicion of an infectious disease, virological studies are appointed, as well as bacteriological culture, which will allow to differentiate the viral disease from bacterial or fungal infection. Take smears, scraping directly from the place in which spots were formed. Blood is also examined by microscopy, bacteriological inoculation, serological or virological studies.
With a disease of unclear etiology, it is advisable to conduct a study on hidden infections, parasitic diseases.
Instrumental diagnostics
Instrumental diagnosis can be quite diverse and depends on what is supposedly the cause of the disease. Usually appointed after a preliminary examination and a patient's interview, when the doctor already has a presumptive diagnosis, or the alleged cause of the pathology.
So, if you suspect a GI disease, you may need a gastroscopy, a radiography, an ultrasound, a colonoscopy. If there is a suspicion of respiratory system diseases, a thorough investigation using spirogram, x-ray, functional tests is used. In heart and circulatory system diseases, an electrocardiogram, ultrasound of the heart and other studies may be required.
Magnetic resonance imaging may also be required to evaluate the condition of the osseous system and soft tissues, and to identify possible pathologies at the earliest stages of their formation.
Differential diagnosis
First of all, it is necessary to determine whether the stain is an independent manifestation of any skin disease, allergic or other reaction, or it acts as a symptom of another, serious disease. For this, laboratory and instrumental diagnostics are carried out.
Then it is necessary to differentiate among themselves diseases that can cause such changes. Instrumental methods are used primarily, consultations of other specialists may be required. It is also necessary to differentiate the spots by origin, to determine the exact cause of their occurrence. This can help monitor the spots in the dynamics, as well as questioning the patient.
Treatment of the brown spots on the legs
There are many ways to treat brown spots, which is determined by the wide variety of reasons for their appearance. Apply mainly etiological therapy, which is aimed at eliminating the cause of the appearance of spots, because the spots are mainly a consequence of the pathological process that occurs in the body. It is also important to eliminate the irritating factors that trigger the development of the pathological process. In some cases, this is enough to eliminate pathology.
The most common treatment is complex, since local treatment is not always able to completely eliminate pathology. It only masks the symptoms. The composition of therapy includes predominantly drug treatment, which consists in the use of drugs of systematic effect, as well as the treatment of the skin with special ointments and solutions that help lighten the stains. The composition of drugs include substances that slow the production of melanocytes pigments. In parallel, local drugs are used to reduce melanin levels in dermal cells. With regular use of drugs and compliance with all the necessary recommendations, treatment will be sufficiently effective.
With insufficient efficiency and incomplete recovery, cosmetology procedures are performed, which allow to eliminate the stains completely. But cosmetology procedures will be effective only in the complex therapy, or only after its preliminary carrying out. Well-proven medical procedures such as cryotherapy, in which damaged areas of the skin are frozen with liquid nitrogen. Pilling is used to exfoliate the upper layers of the skin, which are prone to stains. There is a phototherapy, in which the skin is affected by waves of different lengths, which are produced by special lamps. Quite often resort to laser therapy, during which the stains are removed by laser radiation. Some of these manipulations can be painful and traumatic, but the recovery period does not last long. And the result is usually positive, it lasts quite a long time.
In some cases, whitening ointments are used for treatment. If the cause is infection, or inflammation, prescribe antiviral, antibacterial, or anti-inflammatory therapy, respectively. At spots of an allergic nature antiallergic, antihistamines are prescribed. Often the cause is vitamin deficiency, respectively, vitamin therapy is prescribed. If there is a suspicion of the oncological process, the treatment is carried out under the supervision of an oncologist. Also, with spots of any origin, it is important to adjust the diet, to choose the appropriate diet.
Medications
Drugs can be taken after a doctor's consultation, and only after the exact cause of the pathology is determined is the main precaution. Otherwise, a number of complications and side effects may occur. For example, spots can spread with improper selection of the drug, co-morbid conditions may occur if the treatment regimen is not adhered to.
When spots appear that are strongly itchy and accompanied by burning, antiallergic drugs are prescribed. For example, suprastin has proven itself well. It is taken 1 tablet 2-3 times a day, depending on the severity of the disease and the severity of the symptoms. It should be borne in mind that the drug can cause drowsiness and delayed reaction, so it should be taken by people whose work requires increased concentration. Care should be taken when driving.
If suprastin is ineffective, it is recommended to take loratodine. It is taken 1 tablet a day, as it is a product of prolonged action, which acts during the day. Exceed the dosage is not recommended, as strong intoxication may develop.
Locally, zinc ointment can be recommended. It is applied a thin layer on the skin, thoroughly rubbing. Apply up to three times a day. Leave on the skin until completely absorbed. Ointment can easily eliminate the symptoms of the disease, and also allows you to remove inflammation, prevent attachment and further spread of the infection.
In diseases of bacterial etiology, antibiotic therapy is prescribed. It is recommended to take antibiotics of a wide spectrum of action. For example, ciprofloxacin will quickly relieve bacterial infection and reduce or completely remove stains. It is recommended to take 1 tablet (500 mg) once for three days. It is recommended to take a full course, because the bacteria can not be killed completely, as a result of which they will become stable, and the pathological process will only increase, the rash will spread to other parts of the body.
Often against the background of spots develops intoxication of the body. To eliminate toxins and metabolic products from the body, it is recommended to take enterosgel. To ingest 1 tablespoon of the drug dissolve in a glass of water and drink in one or two meals. As a result, the body clears, the spots gradually disappear.
Vitamins
When any stains appear, it is necessary to take vitamins, since most of them are directly or indirectly associated with a violation of vitamin metabolism and their deficiency in the body. Brown spots are associated primarily with a lack of vitamins A, E, PP. Therefore, it is recommended to take vitamins in the following daily concentrations:
- Vitamin PP - 60 mg
- Vitamin A - 240 mg
- Vitamin E - 45 mg
- Vitamin C - 1000 mg.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
Physiotherapy helps quite effectively and in a short time to cope with stains. It is used as part of complex therapy, or after the basic treatment is completed, but the skin remains stained and scars. The main methods of physiotherapy are ultrasound, microcurrents, waves of different lengths. Electrophoresis is used, with which drugs are injected directly into the damaged tissue. The depth of their penetration is regulated by a microcurrent. Cryoprocedures, thermal procedures, and pilling are indicated. Diamond pilling, grinding is used. Laser procedures, phototherapy proved to be very good.
Alternative treatment
Well recommended itself ointment from paper. To make it, you need to take the student's notebook to place it on a flat dish, set it on fire. After the notebook completely burns, there must be ash and sticky liquid. This liquid is taken and applied a thin layer on the affected area. It is advisable to apply it so that it is still hot. So repeat every day until the spots disappear. If the resinous mass after burning does not remain, you can dilute the resulting ash in half a cup of warm water and apply to the stains.
Also ointment of pine resin and honey works well. To prepare the ointment take about 50 grams of honey, melt in a water bath, add 5-10 grams of gum, stir until a uniform mass is formed, allow to freeze. Apply a thin layer on the affected area. You can smear up to three times a day. The duration of treatment is until the spots disappear completely.
Bee honey and salt quite quickly eliminates inflammation and reduces the appearance of any spots. To do this, a teaspoon of honey is placed in a small cup of honey melted in a water bath, thoroughly stirred and applied to the skin 34 times a day until the stains completely disappear.
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Herbal Treatment
Butter from the herb tea helps remove stains in a short period. Take 2 tablespoons of herbs and pour 5 tablespoons of boiled hot sunflower oil. Allowed to stand under a tightly closed lid for 2-3 hours, after which it can be rubbed into stains until completely absorbed.
A fresh sheet of burdock is dampened in boiling water, shaken off water and applied to the affected areas. Tightly tied with a wide bandage, cover with dry heat on top. Hold such a compress for an hour, then gently remove the mug and another 30 minutes impose a dry heat. Not only eliminates stains, but also relieves pain, itching and burning.
Salvia officinalis is suitable for oral administration as well as for external application. Add one tablespoon of herbs to a glass of boiling water. Brew for an hour. Then divide into 2 halves. One half of a glass is drunk during the day, with small sips, the other - used to lubricate the affected areas. On the first day, lubricate every 30 minutes, the second day can be every 1.5-2 hours. Then go to the three-time lubrication until the spots disappear completely.
Homeopathy
Homeopathic remedies are one of the most effective in treating stains and various skin diseases. Nevertheless, they are also quite dangerous, especially when used incorrectly. Therefore, it is important to follow all safety precautions. First, you must follow all the recommendations of a doctor, adhere to the prescribed scheme. Secondly, it is recommended to select medicines only after all necessary diagnostics have been carried out and the diagnosis is precisely defined. Otherwise, there may be side effects, up to the deterioration and progression of the disease.
Quickly eliminate the inflammation of the pain, spots will help the turpentine from turpentine. Take 5 ml of turpentine and rub into spots before the heat. Then put a sheet of paper on top, put a thin layer of honey, pour on top with warm water. Keep the compress for 30 minutes. Remove and lubricate with petroleum jelly.
To remove stains apply ointment. You need to take 1 tablespoon of cornel berries, grated lavender and sage grass. Mix with 50 grams of Vaseline, bring to a homogeneous mass. After that, apply a thin layer on the affected areas.
The second oil consists of an extract of fir and bark of an oak and jojoba oil. Approximately 50 ml of oil is heated in a water bath, add 2 drops of essential fir oil, or 1 teaspoon of natural extract. Stir thoroughly, allow to infuse and then apply a thin layer on the skin, up to 5 times a day.
Take 10 tablespoons of clay, mix with 5 tablespoons of coconut oil, add 2 drops of kerosene. Insist for half an hour. Before application, mix, apply to damaged areas up to 3 times a day. The compress is held for 30 minutes. After removal, I lubricate the skin with a thin layer of baby cream or petroleum jelly.
Surgery
Operative methods are rarely used, mainly when conservative methods are ineffective. But they can be the only way to solve the problem when developing tumors. Both benign and malignant neoplasms are removed. Also, surgical methods can be used in the case of vascular pathology.
Prevention
At the heart of prevention lies in the first place, timely diagnosis. It is important to identify pathology at an early stage of its formation and to take the necessary measures. This will prevent the progression of the disease.
It is necessary to avoid excessive exposure to sunlight, apply sunscreen cosmetics, if necessary - bleaching agents. A good prevention is massage, cryotherapy, various masks and cosmetic procedures. It is necessary to avoid frequent epilation and depilation.
It is necessary to perform physical exercises, eat right and observe the regime of the day. Clothes should be natural, should not irritate the skin and cause excessive compression and squeezing of the skin. You need to consume enough vitamin.
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Forecast
If the cause is determined in time and the necessary treatment is carried out, the prognosis will be favorable. Brown spots on the legs can be completely and completely eliminated. If you tighten the diagnosis and treatment - the forecast can be unpredictable. You can start a serious pathology of the internal organs, because the legs are a reflection of those processes that occur in the body. There are cases when the ignoring of spots on the legs led to the progression of the cancer tumor, the harbingers of which they were.
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