There are many different things that can cause skin discoloration, from acne to hormonal changes. Most causes are minor, with their worst symptom being embarrassment, but there are some serious conditions that can cause skin discoloration, which makes it important to pay attention to signs and symptoms of skin discoloration.
Redness
Redness is one of the most common symptoms of skin discoloration. Acne lesions, especially those that are inflamed, can cause red skin. A skin disease called rosacea also causes areas of redness on the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. Hormonal changes in pregnancy can also cause red areas of skin, according to What to Expect. The most common areas are the palms, soles of the feet, and the skin under the arms and between the thighs. Sun exposure can also cause redness in the form of sunburn or, in the cases of long-term sun damage, actinic keratoses, which are red, scaly spots that are often pre-cancerous.
Brown Spots or Patches
A common sign of skin discoloration is brown areas on the skin. You may have brown areas on the skin from birth in the form of freckles and birthmarks, but brown spots or patches can also be signs of other skin conditions. For instance, a condition called melasma is a condition that causes brown patches on the face. The cause of melasma is unknown, but it affects women much more often than men and is especially common in pregnant women. Sun exposure can also cause brown spots on the skin in the form of age spots, freckles and moles.
White Spots or Patches
Another fairly common symptom of skin discoloration are white spots or patches on the skin. These can be caused by injury, disease and sun exposure. Some scars, especially those from burns can leave white patches on the skin. A skin disease called vitiglio causes your skin to lose melanin, which leads to white patches in the areas where the melanin-producing cells have died. It is more common in people with darker skin and has no cure. Sun damage, in addition to causing redness and brown spots, can also cause white spots on your skin. According to skinsight.com., long-term exposure to the sun can cause a condition called poikiloderma of Civatte, which causes patches of bleached skin. It commonly occurs on the neck and chest and affects fair-skinned people more often.
