Dark spots on the skin of the legs: how to get rid of?

This or that skin color, hair, eye is determined by pigment melanin. It is dark brown, yellow and black. Synthesis of melanin is associated with the endocrine gland, it is part of the body's immune system. The appearance of dark spots on the legs suggests that for some reason pigment production has intensified. In that, which provoked such a phenomenon, it is worthwhile to understand, tk. This can be a warning signal about health problems.

Causes of the dark spots on the legs

The causes of the appearance of dark spots on the legs can be different, from the most harmless and to the manifestations of serious pathologies. Spots existing from birth are not considered.

• Often occurs pigmentation of the skin, called chloasma. In a limited area of the skin, a more intensely colored epidermis suddenly appears. The exact nature of the appearance of such spots scientists do not yet know, but the most likely causes are excessive exposure to the skin of the sun, endocrine and hormonal disorders (in favor of this version says the appearance of pigmentation during menopause, in the postmenopausal period, as well as in pregnant women) substances, chronic liver diseases.
• With the deficiency of vitamins C (ascorbic acid), A (retinol), PP (nicotinic acid and nicotinic acid), their appearance is also possible.
• Lack of circulation, caused by atherosclerosis, can provoke such a manifestation.
• Dark spots on the legs occur with varicose veins. This pathology leads to changes in the walls of venous vessels, increasing their perceptiveness, and the first symptom are dark, blue, red spots. At the beginning of the disease, they do not bring any discomfort except the aesthetic, but ignoring the problem leads to serious consequences (thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, etc.).
• Dark spots on the legs with diabetes indicate metabolic disorders caused by high sugar content in the blood. With this pathology it is in the lower extremities that blood circulation is disturbed, which means that the tissues are suffering from food, accumulation of decomposition products and intoxication. For diabetes is characterized by the emergence of neuropathy - nerve damage, which is manifested by the appearance of spots, the feeling of crawling creepy, burning.
• From the impact, dark spots on the nails of the feet may appear . First, the hematoma of the red-blue color forms as a result of rupture of small blood vessels at the site of injury, pain syndrome arises due to trauma of soft tissues, edema. Over time, the nail becomes purple-black, can peel off.
• Dark brown spots on the legs after the tanning bed are due to the increased production of melanin by the cells under the influence of ultraviolet rays. In this case, the skin reaction is similar to that of the sun. Stains can also appear from uneven sunburn. The fault of this is poor-quality cosmetics or its uneven layer on the skin, applied before the procedure.

Risk factors

Risk factors for the formation of dark spots on the legs are overweight, unhealthy diets, sunburn, hair removal procedures, heredity, old age, various injuries.

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of the appearance of dark spots on the skin is the increased production of brown pigment for one reason or another. It is established that this mechanism is influenced by hormones produced by the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, sex and steroid hormones.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]

Epidemiology

Statistics argue that the defeat of the vessels of the lower extremities, and hence the presence of dark spots, occurs in 70% of patients with diabetes mellitus. Varicose disease is common in the developed world among 25-30% of women and 10-20% of men. Atherosclerosis of the lower extremities affects every fifth man in the world after 65 years.

[8], [9], [10], [11], [12]

Symptoms

Symptoms of dark spots on the legs are a change in the natural color of skin fragments in a darker color. Dark spots of different shapes and sizes may appear on the nails and fingers. Often this is the result of wearing tight shoes, and these places, especially the big toe, are often prone to bruises. Wrong care of the nails, a number of diseases, including kidney failure, heart pathologies, beriberi, can provoke a discoloration of the nail plate.

There are also dark red spots on the legs. Such color can signal about various problems, including allergies, fungus, vascular changes. The first sign of an allergy is itching, scaling of the skin, the appearance of bubbles filled with liquid. Manifestations of lesions by the fungus are also very similar to their symptoms. The spots due to varicose veins are somewhat different, they arise as a result of rupture of small capillaries and represent a cobweblike network. Varicosity can cause stagnant dermatitis, in which there is an extensive brown pigmentation, edema, heaviness, covering the ankles and reaching the feet. Over time, dark spots acquire a denser structure.

Dark spots on the soles of the feet are most likely accompanied by lipodermatosclerosis, which occurs against the background of varicose veins. This is due to the inability of the venous system to cope with its functions. Venous pressure presses on the foot base, the vessels burst, blood flows out, leaving dark traces under the skin.

Dark spots on the lower leg can indicate atherosclerosis or diabetes mellitus, it is for them that the symmetry of the locations is characteristic. At first, the dark pigment has small dimensions (1-2 cm), then with the development of the disease, it increases. More this pathology is inherent in men. Another disease that has similar symptoms is lipoid necrobiosis. It leads to disruption of fat metabolism, changing the structure of blood vessels, the appearance of brown plaques.

Dark spots on the joints of the legs are associated with their defeat. First, a grid of dilated vessels appears - "wine" spots, then they thicken and coarsen, they acquire a dark color. Nodal erythema is also characterized by the formation of dense inflammatory nodules on the extensor surfaces of the shins, thighs, often leaving pigment spots at the site of their localization after recovery.

Dark spots on the hands and feet are likely to be pigmented. They appear most often after 40-50 years, call them age, most often they have an irregular shape and different sizes. They do not pose a threat to human health, delivering discomfort to mostly women not their aesthetic appearance. Their occurrence is due to the inability of cells to interrupt the synthesis of the pigment. This process intensifies under the influence of ultraviolet rays.

Dark spots on the legs and between the legs in women can appear from the use of wax and epilators to remove hair follicles. It has become fashionable to have smooth legs without a single hair. But at the same time, the integrity of melanocyte cells that produce melanin is often compromised. In this case, combating the pigment spots will also join the fight against the hairy covering of the lower extremities.

Dark spots on the legs of a child are most often provoked by an allergy. As a rule, rashes itch and itch, and children exacerbate the situation by combing these places. To get rid of such troubles, it is necessary to determine the allergen and remove it from everyday life or a menu. It can be food, hair care products, leather, washing powders, synthetic clothes.

Forms

Stains on the legs are of different types, shades and configurations:

• vascular - cause edema and dark spots on the leg, localizing on the inner side of the thighs, ankles and lower legs. With extensive lesions become blue, resemble bruises. Some of their varieties are diabetic - dark brown spots on the legs, itch. Itching and burning of dark spots is also characteristic of atherosclerosis;
• allergic - itch, scaly, often have a red tint;
• pigment - dry, dark, do not bring inconveniences, are rough to the touch, if caused by a decrease in the functions of the thyroid gland.

[13],

Diagnostics of the dark spots on the legs

Diagnosis of the appearance of dark spots on the legs is based on examination of the patient, anamnesis of their appearance, laboratory studies, instrumental and differential diagnosis.

Analyzes will be needed for suspected diabetes mellitus. To determine the concentration of glucose in the blood and ascertain its increase, the study is done several times on different days in the morning on an empty stomach. There is a glucose tolerance test that is more sensitive to glucose metabolism disorders. Urine analysis is examined for the presence of glucose and acetone, which may be present due to complications of metabolism. Biochemical blood test, coprogram, analysis for dysbiosis will give a picture of the state of the organism, identify problems.

Instrumental diagnostics for confirmation of varicose veins of the lower extremities consists in applying the duplex sonography method, which gives a complete picture of the state of the superficial and deep veins. For clarification, computer tomography phlebography using contrast medium, magnetic resonance imaging, segmental dopplerography can be performed.

Complicated diabetes requires retinopathy - examination of the fundus, electrocardiogram, excretory urography.

When diagnosing atherosclerosis of the lower extremities, ultrasound dopplerography, radiopaque aortoarteriography is used.

[14], [15], [16], [17]

Differential diagnosis

Differentiation of dark spots on the legs occurs between pigmentation, neurofibromatosis, colorful lichen, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis of the extremities, melanoma.

[18], [19], [20]

Treatment of the dark spots on the legs

If there is no dangerous disease behind the appearance of dark spots on your legs, you can try to eliminate them with special cosmetic means, alternative methods or procedures in beauty salons, for example, laser polishing, meso, photo, cryotherapy, chemical peeling. There is also a correction of metabolic and hormonal disorders. In other cases, treatment is directed to the underlying disease and only then skin defects are eliminated. So, with varicose veins, special ointments, gels, dietotherapy, wearing elastic stockings, electrostimulation, etc. Are used. Diabetes mellitus requires normalization of sugar level, diet, selection of daily caloric intake. In the case of atherosclerosis, drugs that improve blood circulation are used. With bruises and the formation of bruises under the nail pierce the nail plate, remove the blood clot and disinfect.

Medicinal treatment

To resolve blue traces from bruises, heparin ointment is used to heal diabetic ulcers.

Heparin ointment - reduces pain syndrome, prevents blood clots, removes the inflammatory process. Ointment is applied a thin layer on dark spots 2-3 times a day, easily rubbing into the surface of the skin. Contraindicated in people with a low content of platelets in the blood, with ulcers on the skin, low blood coagulability.

Varicose veins use ointments and gels, improving the structure of the walls of blood vessels, normalizing blood microcirculation, which have anti-edema, anticonvulsant and analgesic effect. One of them is Venorhuton.

Venoruton - for external use a gel is used, for ingestion - capsules and tablets. With varicose dermatitis, ulcers, removal of varicose veins, oral administration is prescribed. Doses are individual, depending on the patient's condition. Begin therapy with 300 mg three times a day or 500 mg 2 times. The initial dose may be 1000 mg once a day. Drink the drug while eating, the course of treatment - until the symptoms disappear completely. When new ones appear, they repeat the same pattern. There are side effects - nausea, vomiting, headache. Basically, it is well tolerated by patients. Contraindicated with individual intolerance and in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Defects of the skin, called chloasma, will help to eliminate bleaching creams, one of which is a melanative.

Melanativ - a cream based on water, well moisturizes the skin, whitening effect is provided by its active components alpha-arbutin, glycolic acid, etc. It is applied to the cleansed skin with light massage movements. Its use can cause itching, a feeling of tightness of the skin. In this case, discontinue use. Contraindicated in case of allergy to compound preparations.

In the complex treatment of atherosclerosis, anti-inflammatory, anti-edema, analgesic, ointment-improving ointments, gels, creams are prescribed.

Hepatrombin G-course of treatment with the drug - no more than two weeks because of the possibility of its component prednisolone cause side effects. Contraindicated with hypersensitivity, tuberculosis, early in pregnancy, during breast-feeding, a short-term use is allowed.

Normalize the synthesis of melanin helps the use of folic and ascorbic acid, vitamins B, PP.

Physiotherapeutic treatment

Physiotherapeutic treatment is prescribed depending on the diagnosis, which led to the appearance of dark spots on the legs. Thus, atherosclerosis of the lower limbs, electrotherapy methods are used to improve blood microcirculation in the affected vessels and capillaries: electrophoresis, pulsed currents, as well as UHF, microwave, etc.

Diabetic skin lesions on the legs are affected by ozono-, nitrogen-, magneto- and laser therapy, ultraviolet irradiation, mud therapy and balneological procedures are used.

Alternative treatment

Dark spots on the legs, beyond which there is no serious disease, can be clarified and made less noticeable by applying alternative treatment. Here are a few recipes:

• a good whitening effect is lemon (stains grease with juice or decoction of its peel);
• 30% hydrogen peroxide is mixed with flour, a cake is mixed, which is applied to the problem site;
• ground coffee, which can be used for making a drink, mixed with lemon juice and after the bath, do exfoliation of the legs;
• grate the fresh cucumber, wrap it in gauze and fix it with a plaster on the leg;
• Add the sponge with hydrogen peroxide, apply to stains for 10-15 minutes, rinse with water.

To reduce the consequences of bruising, cold is used, including ice.

[21]

Herbal Treatment

Herbal treatment aims to relieve inflammation, swelling, pain syndrome, bleach, not using chemicals or help them cope with this task. You can use herbs such as chamomile, celandine, parsley, bearberry, licorice, etc.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy believes that any problems with the skin should be treated from the inside, and not outside, that the skin acts as a drain, reducing the burden on the liver, kidneys and other vital organs. And nevertheless it is necessary to take care of the skin with the help of special cosmetics and, best of all, homeopathic ones.

• Antimonium crudum - antimony, is prepared by rubbing the raw material into powder and combining it with milk sugar. It is used in various dilutions and doses, the doctor-homeopath determines.
• Arsenicum albumum is anhydrous arsenic acid. Effective with skin rashes, accompanied by itching, flaking.
• Argentum nitrikum - nitric silver, sepia - a product made from squid and squid ink, give good results in treating dark spots on the legs.

Surgery

Surgical treatment may be needed for skin lesions due to diabetes mellitus, varicose veins. Melanoma - malignant neoplasm on the skin is mostly removed by the operative route. Complete elimination of simple pigment spots is performed with a laser for 3-4 sessions. The procedure is carried out with or without anesthesia, leaving no scars.

Complications and consequences

Consequences and complications themselves do not cause blemishes, but the problems due to which they have arisen are often very serious and require long-term and sometimes lifelong therapy.

[22], [23], [24], [25]

Prevention

Preventative measures include protecting feet from direct sunlight. It can be long clothes, trousers, sunscreen. It is necessary to use as much liquid as possible, to introduce into your diet vegetables, fruits, greens. In the presence of pigmentation caused by the above-mentioned diseases, immediately consult a doctor.

Forecast

The prognosis of the presence of dark spots on the legs is favorable, unless it is associated with the consequences of diabetes, atherosclerosis, varicose veins. These complications are dangerous to health, so the forecast depends on the state of neglect.