Brown spots on the skin have different causes. Not all types of this phenomenon need to be treated. Recognizing which type of brown spots is often only possible by a specialist. Danger to life is imminent in the case of skin cancer.
What are brown spots on the skin?
One form of brown spots on the skin are age spots, which are mainly found on the back of the hands, forearms or face of older people. Brown spots on the skin can be of various origins. The freckles are smaller light spots with yellowish to brownish coloration. They occur especially in blond or red-haired people with a fair complexion. Freckles increase in summer when the skin is exposed to UV light from the sun. In winter, these pigmentary disorders sometimes disappear completely. Another form of brown spots on the skin are age spots, which are mainly found on the back of the hands, forearms or on the face of older people. Besides these two benign forms of brown skin spots, there is also the malignant form – lentigo maligna, which is not always easy to recognize. A dermatological examination brings certainty in such cases and should be performed regularly for brown spots on the skin.
Causes
The causes of brown spots on the skin are varied. On the one hand, genes determine how we look and what individual characteristics each person has. This also applies to the appearance of the skin. In the case of freckles and age spots, the UV light of the sun also has a significant influence. Freckles are caused by hyperpigmentation. Certain cells in the skin called melanocytes produce the pigment melanin. The melanin is stored in the other cells – keratinocytes. In the case of age spots, the pigment lipofuscin, which is also called age or wear pigment, also plays a role. Freckles are most likely a congenital gene variation. Age spots, on the other hand, are a sign of aging.
Diseases with this symptom
- Age spots
- Lentigo maligna
- Pigment disorder
- Melanoma
- Skin cancer
- Pityriasis versicolor
Diagnosis and course
Recognizing brown spots on the skin is easy with freckles and age spots. However, it is difficult to distinguish them from malignant phenomena. There are many types of skin cancer and the number of cases per year is steadily increasing. Skin cancer is also called malignant melanoma. Here, the cells that produce melanin – melanocytes – degenerate. This form of cancer is very aggressive. It leads to rapidly growing growths, and metastases can then form in the lymph nodes and internal organs. A reliable diagnosis of what type of freckles it is can only be made by a dermatologist. The course of freckles and the benign age spots, on the other hand, is not problematic. Another type of proliferating appearance on the skin, are the moles. Also called birthmarks, these usually light or dark brownish spots are usually benign. However, the progression is problematic from a cosmetic standpoint due to the spreading and growing growths.
Complications
The following complications may occur in association with brown spots on the skin:
- The brown spots become larger and there is a change in their color and shape.
- The surface is no longer smooth, but rough and scaly. It can become inflamed.
- Pustules and nodules develop on the brown spots.
- The border area dissolves into fibers and is no longer clearly delineated.
- The brown areas hurt and itch, turn red or blisters form.
- Rashes appear on the skin.
If changes in brown spots are not treated or treated too late by a doctor, skin cancer, specifically melanoma, can develop. A melanoma (black skin cancer) is characterized by its altered coloring and altered surface with irregular edges. Melanoma often occurs on the lower leg, but also on the hip, shoulders and arms, back or face.Pre-stages of melanoma, for example melanotic precancerous lesions or lentigo maligna, may also occur. With timely diagnosis, major complications associated with brown spots on the skin can be avoided. However, if melanoma is detected late, offshoots may have already formed in internal organs, resulting in a serious prognosis for the patient.
When should you see a doctor?
The appearance of the skin is genetically determined. In addition, it is influenced by UV radiation, chemical substances and hormones. Not all brown spots on the skin require treatment. The best known are freckles, which occur as pigment spots in very fair-skinned people. They do not indicate disease, but are a genetic freak of nature. We also know brown spots on the skin as age spots. These skin changes are also harmless and are mainly found on the face, hands and forearms. In age spots, the wear and tear pigment lipofuscin is deposited in the skin cells. Many affected people are bothered by this and have pigment spots lightened. More severe pigmentation can occur in adults after extensive sunbathing. This occurs mainly in conjunction with medication. Affected persons should avoid direct sun. With increasing age, the number of moles can increase. These are also benign, but are visually disturbing for many. An increased number of moles is no reason to visit the dermatologist. However, if the skin discolors unexpectedly in one area, a visit to the doctor should follow. Particularly critical are changes in previously flat moles, which now become raised and larger. Such cell changes can be an indication of skin cancer. Since skin cancer also occurs in many varieties, medical clarification is always required.
Treatment and therapy
Very few brown spots on the skin need to be treated. In particular, freckles and age spots usually pose no danger. Nevertheless, for people with freckles, it is recommended that the skin be exposed to little sunlight because of the sensitivity to UV light that accompanies them. People with freckles are more prone to sunburns due to their light skin type. Disturbing age spots and liver spots can be removed, for example, with medical laser therapy. In addition, preparations containing acids such as fruit and vitamin A acid as well as Rucinol have a lightening effect. Treatment of moles is advisable when there is or is expected to be a severe infestation. The proliferating nature of this skin phenomenon makes it necessary in some cases for cosmetic reasons to contain the spread at an early stage. However, laser therapy, surgical removal or icing will only lead to short-term success, as the moles will always grow back due to the genetic cause. Treatment cycles of one to two years are therefore indicated. In the case of very extensive infestation, laser therapy is the most effective form of treatment. It can be performed quickly on an outpatient basis by a physician under local anesthesia. In the case of malignant skin cancer – malignant melanoma – immediate medical treatment is indispensable. The sooner this growth is removed in its entirety, the greater the likelihood that cancer cells will not spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic fluid in the body and cause harm.
Prevention
For prevention and to lighten browning spots on the skin, consistent UV protection is usually suitable for freckles and for age spots. This measure has also been proven to significantly reduce the likelihood of developing skin cancer. Here it is above all important to avoid each sunburn absolutely. In Germany, all persons with statutory health insurance from the age of 35 are entitled to a skin cancer screening examination every two years.
What you can do yourself
For all brown skin spots, which are due to a disturbance in the storage of the skin pigment melanin, the main thing to do is to exercise restraint when exposed to direct sunlight. However, the UV-B component of sunlight exposure has no effect on the development of age spots and of spots based on metabolic and hormonal disorders. Similarly, some moles or nevi do not react to sunlight. As a rule, for the brown spots there is a cosmetic problem, for the overcoming of which there are some possibilities – even without skin laser.A time-tested home remedy for lightening brown spots on the skin is lemon juice. The lemon juice is drizzled directly onto the skin spot or applied with a cotton ball. The exposure time must be at least half an hour before the lemon juice is washed off. The treatment is carried out twice a day for a period of several weeks. A little patience is required. As an alternative to lemon juice, onion juice, buttermilk, apple cider vinegar, horseradish or even castor oil can be used. A remedy that contributes various enzymes in addition to acids to fight brown spots and age spots is papaya. A small amount of papaya pulp is simply mashed with a fork and applied directly to the skin spots. Again, the application time should be at least 30 minutes each time and the treatment should be continued for several weeks to months.
