A number of factors can influence skin discoloration, among them; some are natural which include birthmark, sun exposure, allergy and self attack of immune system (lichen planus). In the skin discoloration, skin may become darker or lighter than the natural color.

Either skin discoloration occurs due to melasma or age spot, whatever the reason of discoloration, people wants to get rid of it. This bothersome condition can be treated with the most modern lasers and other advanced technology.

In the normal conditions skin cells (melanocytes) produce the pigment known as melanin. The skin color depends on the concentration of melanin and amount of circulating blood.

Types of Skin Discoloration

Skin discoloration depends on the type of color it develops. Skin coloration could be of many types. Some of the common types are as follows.

Hypopigmentation

The type of skin discoloration that occurs due to the loss of melanin is known as hypopigmentation. In this condition, skin color becomes lighter than the natural color. The examples are tinea versicolor and vitiligo.

Hyperpigmentation

Darker skin is the main characteristic of this skin condition. Over activity of skin cells produce a lot more pigments than required and cause the darkening of the skin. Excessive sun exposure also causes the hyperpigmentation.

Skin Redness

Skin redness is a very common condition. It may occur due to fever, sunburns, viral infection, eczema etc. It can be observes on some specific areas or the whole body skin. Skin redness, usually, indicates irritation or skin allergy.

Cyanosis

In this condition color of skin gets bluish due to the impaired oxygen supply. This condition may also occur due to the presence of the toxins or abnormal hemoglobin in the blood.

Paleness

Skin gets pale when deficiency of hemoglobin occurs in the blood. Skin paleness has many types, based on the symptoms. This can be seen on the complete skin surface or localized area such as white patches.

Yellow Skin

It has been noticed that yellow skin of person indicates the onset of jaundice or some other liver disease. In this condition bilirubin starts to mix with the blood and appears as yellow color of the skin. This color can easily be seen in the nails eyes and underneath the tongue. People with this type of skin should go for the further diagnosis of the disease.

Causes of skin discoloration

So many factors are responsible for the skin discoloration. This is true, different color of skin results from different abnormalities that take place in the metabolism of the body. Few causes of the skin discoloration are as follows.

Diet

Recent studies have proven that the color of skin greatly depends on the diet you eat. Skin sensitivity increase with the use of diet that is rich in psolarens. Such diet makes skin more sensitive and highly susceptible of the skin discoloration even with the little exposure to the sunlight.

Pregnancy

Women of dark skin are more prone to the skin discoloration during pregnancy. The condition develops due to the hyperpigmentation. This skin discoloration usually disappears on its own after the delivery.

Various ailments

Skin discoloration is a symptom of many diseases such as, albinism makes skin white, yellow skin indicate the liver diseases, cyanosis specifies the heart diseases and paleness represents the low level of hemoglobin in blood.

Side effect of medication

Some medications have the side effects which cause the skin discoloration. The most common drugs that cause the skin discoloration are tetracycline (antibiotic) and anti malarial drugs that activate the production of melanin that is the key cause of the hyperpigmentation.

Additionally aging, extreme climate and hereditary are the factors that can give raise to skin discoloration.

Symptoms and Treatment of skin discoloration

It is widely believed that skin discoloration is a clear indication of a medical condition. It has already been said that symptoms of skin discoloration depend upon the cause.

Likewise treatment of skin discoloration depends on the underlying cause. It’s necessary for the person, with developed condition of the skin, to consult the good dermatologist for the appropriate diagnosis. Proper skin care is essential and one should follow the advices of his/her doctor. All experts are agreed on the use of sunscreen while going outside during the day time and avoid excessive sun exposure.