Pigment spots on the skin: causes, symptoms, treatment tactics
The presence of pigment spots on the skin is called hyperpigmentation. A change in the natural color of the skin not only affects the aesthetic appearance, but can also signal dangerous diseases.
Reasons
There are many causes of skin hyperpigmentation. In each specific case, it is determined by a specialist - treatment tactics will depend on this.
The main conditions for the occurrence of hyperpigmentation:
- action of the sun's rays;
- lack of vitamin C in the body - can develop both as a result of some diseases and as a result of lack of food;
- disruption of the liver;
- failures in the activity of the biliary tract;
- hormonal imbalance;
- chronic infections;
- intoxication (poisoning of the body). The causes of hyperpigmentation can be different - mostly it is the entry of poisonous substances from the outside or their formation in the body - during the death and decay of tissues, microbial bodies, etc.;
- violation of immunity;
- pregnancy - hyperpigmentation often occurs on the face.
Hyperpigmentation of the skin: symptoms
Pigment spots can appear on any part of the skin. The most common cause is the action of the sun's rays, so they are more often formed on open areas of the skin: on the hands, feet, neck and face.
Pigment spots on the skin can be different according to:
- color - lighter or darker, up to blackness;
- sizes;
- shape – from a regular rounded shape to spots with uneven, bizarre edges;
- quantity - single or multiple.
Regarding changes in pigment spots, oncological vigilance should be shown - a melanoma pigment tumor that can occur is characterized by a very high degree of malignancy. Therefore, if a pigment spot has started to change its contours or color, erosions have appeared on it, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Diagnostics
Removal of pigment spots cannot be carried out without accurate diagnosis. It includes not only the detection of areas of hyperpigmentation. The phenomenon of hyperpigmentation can be caused by a number of serious pathologies, so the examination should be comprehensive and include the following methods:
- ultrasound examination of the organs of the abdominal cavity - in particular, the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands;
- Ultrasound of the thyroid gland;
- blood test for hormones;
- bacterioscopic examination - examination of swabs under a microscope to detect infectious agents in them.
A careful approach to the diagnosis of skin hyperpigmentation is important, the treatment will depend on the diagnosis. To narrow down the range of additional examination methods, it is advisable to contact a therapist who will establish the likely cause of hyperpigmentation and refer to related specialists.
Skin hyperpigmentation: treatment
The elimination of pigment spots means the elimination of the causes that caused their appearance. If hyperpigmentation of the skin is caused by liver disease or hormonal failure, no modern methods of removal will help - spots will appear again. Therefore, it is important to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe the treatment of the underlying disease. With successful treatment, pigment spots will disappear on their own.
Treatment of pigment spots on the skin caused by local changes is effective thanks to modern methods. They are:
- medicinal - with the use of lightening ointments and creams. Practiced to eliminate small, unexpressed areas of hyperpigmentation;
- radical - the most popular of them are laser and cryotherapy. Such methods will help to remove even dark pigment spots.
Treatment of hyperpigmentation should be carried out by qualified specialists in the clinic.
Prevention
For the prevention of hyperpigmentation, the following are relevant:
- skin protection from the sun's rays with the help of sunscreens, closed clothes, wide-brimmed hats;
- consumption of a sufficient amount of vitamins;
- prevention of diseases accompanied by hyperpigmentation, timely detection and treatment;
- measures to strengthen the body's protective properties (normal hardening).
Read more about pigment spots on the skin, their causes, treatment methods on the website of our clinic https://dobrobut.com/.