Why are patches of my skin turning brown?

Hyperpigmentation is a common, usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, forms deposits in the skin.

How do I get rid of dark spots and melasma?

Hydroquinone: This medication is a common first treatment for melasma. Tretinoin and corticosteroids: To enhance skin lightening, your dermatologist may prescribe a second medicine. Other topical (applied to the skin) medicines: Your dermatologist may prescribe azelaic acid or kojic acid to help reduce melasma.

What autoimmune disease causes skin discoloration?

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that causes your skin to lose color, often resulting in white patches on your skin that cover both sides of your body.

What autoimmune diseases cause hyperpigmentation?

Lupus erythematosus (LE) is an autoimmune disorder commonly affecting the skin; cutaneous lesions may indicate systemic involvement, warranting further evaluation. Photosensitivity, which may result in hyperpigmentation, is a well-known feature of the disease.

Why do I suddenly have melasma?

What causes melasma? Sun exposure: Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun stimulates the melanocytes. A change in hormones: Pregnant women often get melasma. Skin care products: If a product irritates your skin, melasma can worsen.

What food is bad for melasma?

Fried foods: Fried anything, including fast food, because the oil and chemicals in the food contribute to poor skin. Alcohol: Alcohol naturally dehydrates your cells, including your skin cells, making your skin dry and exposed to sun exposure. Most alcoholic drinks also have lots of sugar.

What vitamins are good for melasma?

Conclusions: Full-face iontophoresis of vitamin C appears to be an effective short-term treatment for melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. A protocol of strict sun avoidance in combination with a mandelic/malic acid skin care regimen appears to be useful in maintaining the improvement.

What is the fastest way to cure melasma?

Doctors often use hydroquinone as the first line of treatment for melasma. Hydroquinone is available as a lotion, cream, or gel. A person can apply the hydroquinone product directly to the patches of skin that are discolored. Hydroquinone is available over the counter, but a doctor can also prescribe stronger creams.

What hormone imbalance causes melasma?

Hormones: Hormones like estrogen and progesterone may play a role in some people. Postmenopausal women are sometimes given progesterone, and have been observed developing melasma. If you aren’t pregnant, you likely have elevated levels of estrogen receptors found in your melasma lesions.

Is melasma a symptom of lupus?

Other skin conditions that sometimes mimic the skin problems of lupus include melasma, psoriasis, eczema (atopic dermatitis), and facial seborrheic dermatitis. A dermatologist can diagnose these skin conditions. The symptoms of clinical depression can mimic lupus symptoms, and vice versa.

Can liver problems cause hyperpigmentation?

According to Berman [1] some patients with hepatic disease demonstrate hyperpigmentation which is mostly associated with haemochromatosis and cirrhosis.

Why do I have these brown spots on my face?

Ultraviolet Light. CNN Health reports that ultraviolet light increases the production of melanin,a dark pigment in the skin.

What diseases cause melasma?

Thyroid disease: The occurrence of melasma increases in patients having thyroid disorders. Stress: Recent studies have suggested the role of stress in causing overproduction of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) leading to melasma.

What is melasma face?

Melasma (muh-LAZ-muh) is a common skin problem. It causes brown to gray-brown patches, usually on the face. Most people get it on their cheeks, bridge of their nose, forehead, chin, and above their upper lip.