Causes and treatments for skin discoloration on the legs

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Sunburn is a reaction to skin-damaging UV radiation from the sun. This damage causes the skin to change color. Lighter skin may turn red or tan, while darker skin may become darker than usual.

Symptoms of severe sunburn include:

• skin inflammation and pain
• dry, itchy, or peeling skin
• skin swelling or blistering
• fever
• fatigue
• nausea
• headache

Treatment

The following treatments may help alleviate the symptoms of sunburn:

• applying a cool compress to the skin
• applying a moisturizer or aftersun cream
• taking pain relief medications, such as ibuprofen
• avoiding any further sun exposure until healed

Anyone who experiences severe sunburn needs immediate medical attention.

Birthmarks are marks on the skin that typically appear at birth or just after birth.

There are many different types of birthmark, and each may vary in appearance. For example, birthmarks may:

• be flat or raised
• be as small as a pinhead or cover a much larger area of skin
• be white, pink, red, tan, or brown
• look like a stain or a bruise on the skin

Treatment

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), most birthmarks are harmless, but they can grow larger over time. Ideally, a dermatologist should assess any birthmarks to make sure that they are not a symptom of another condition.

Some birthmarks may fade or disappear as the person gets older. If a person has a birthmark that requires treatment, surgery, laser therapy, or medications may help reduce its appearance.

Eczema is an umbrella term for conditions that cause inflammation and irritation of the skin. There are different types of eczema with different causes.

Some causes include:

• an overactive immune system
• exposure to allergenic or irritating substances
• environmental triggers

The symptoms of eczema may vary depending on the type. Some possible symptoms include:

• dryness, scaliness, and itching
• oozing, crusting, or swelling
• skin sensitivity
• skin inflammation
• brown, purple, or gray areas (on darker skin)
• red areas (on lighter skin)

Treatment

The treatment for eczema will depend partly on the type. Some possible treatment options include:

• moisturizing creams or ointments
• topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, redness, and itching
• light therapy to reduce inflammation and itching
• immunosuppressant or immunomodulating medications

Psoriasis is an auto-inflammatory condition in which the body produces skin cells more rapidly than usual. This causes a buildup of cells on the surface of the skin.

Symptoms may include itching and scaly plaques, which may form anywhere on the body but especially on the following areas:

• the knees
• the elbows
• the scalp

Different factors, like genetics and having an overactive immune system, may play a role in the development of psoriasis.

Treatment

Psoriasis can be a life-long condition. However, the following treatment options can help a person manage the symptoms:

• topical medications, such as corticosteroids or coal tar
• oral or injectable prescription medications
• light therapy

Vitiligo is a condition that causes patches of depigmented skin. Symptoms may include:

• patches of lighter, or white, skin
• depigmentation of the hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes
• white or gray hair

Medical experts are unsure of the cause of vitiligo. However, risk factors include having an autoimmune condition or having a relative with vitiligo.

Treatment

Treatments for vitiligo aim to reduce inflammation and replace lost skin color. Some options include:

• taking corticosteroids and other immunomodulating medications to help restore color to depigmented areas
• trying light therapy
• depigmentation, which involves removing color from darker areas of skin to match the lighter patches
• undergoing surgery to transfer skin cells from areas of typical pigmentation to areas of depigmentation

Skin cancer can appear anywhere on the body, including the legs.

Symptoms may include:

• a new pigmented or skin colored bump
• pink, scaly plaque
• changes to an existing mole or birthmark, such as:
  • changes in size, color, or shape
  • the development of irregular edges or asymmetry
  • bleeding or crusting
  • growing larger than a pencil eraser

Skin cancer may also appear as a new mole or spot on the skin.

Treatment

With early detection, skin cancer is very treatable. Skin cancer treatment depends on the type but may include:

• surgery to remove the skin cancer
• freezing or light therapy to destroy cancer cells
• radiation therapy
• immunotherapy
• chemotherapy
• targeted therapy to shrink cancer cells

Venous insufficiency (VI) is a condition in which the veins within the legs do not function properly, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart. This causes blood to pool in the legs.

VI may cause the following symptoms:

• brown or reddish staining of the skin above the ankles
• swollen ankles
• dry, itchy patches of skin
• wounds on the lower legs, which may leak fluid
• varicose veins

Treatment

Treatment for VI may include:

• compression therapy to improve blood flow
• exercise
• moving the feet when sitting for long periods of time
• laser ablation

Diabetes is a condition wherein blood sugar levels become too high. Signs of diabetes can show up on the skin.

Some symptoms of diabetes may cause discoloration or changes to the legs, such as:

• yellow, reddish, or brown patches
• a hard, shiny appearance to the skin
• itchy, dry skin
• large, painless blisters
• brown spots or lines on the shins

Treatment

The treatment of diabetes depends on the type a person has.

A person with type 1 diabetes will need to take insulin to manage their blood sugar levels.

A person with type 2 diabetes may benefit from the following treatments:

• increasing physical activity
• eating a healthy diet
• losing excess weight
• taking medication to manage blood sugar levels

Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation tends to occur in darker skin after physical trauma, such as a scrape, a scratch, friction, or a cut from a sharp object.

When a person scratches or cuts their leg, they may notice that their skin is darker in that area after the wound has healed.

Treatment

If the hyperpigmentation is severe and causing a person distress, they should speak with a doctor or dermatologist.

Some treatment options may include:

• topical therapies, such as retinoids and hydroquinone
• chemical peels
• laser treatment

When a person has Schamberg disease, their capillaries leak, and they may notice areas of discoloration on their legs.

Experts do not exact cause of Schamberg disease, but alcohol consumption, genetics, and some medications can all cause the capillaries to leak blood into the skin.

Treatment

There are some treatment options that could be effective in helping a person manage the symptoms of Schamberg disease.

Sometimes, a person may need to try several treatments before finding one that works well for them.

Treatment options may include:

• using topical steroids
• switching medications, with a doctor’s guidance
• wearing compression stockings

A person should contact a doctor if they experience any of the following:

• swelling of the legs or ankles
• brown or reddish staining above the ankles
• any symptoms of diabetes
• any changes to any existing moles or birthmarks or the development of new growths on the skin
• leg discoloration that is affecting their self-esteem or quality of life

A person needs immediate medical attention if they experience any of the following:

• pain lasting more than 2 days, high fever, or dehydration, from sunburn
• a severe allergic reaction
• severe burns, wounds, or infection

In some cases, a doctor may take a skin sample, or biopsy, to examine the affected skin more closely.

Many causes of leg discoloration are temporary and will go away in time or with appropriate treatment. Other causes may require long-term treatment and management.

In some cases, skin discoloration of the legs can signal a serious health issue. In such cases, specific treatments may be necessary to prevent any further complications.

People should discuss their individual outlook with a doctor.

There are many potential causes of leg discoloration. Some are relatively benign and transient, while others can be much more serious.

A person should contact a doctor if they notice any changes to an existing birthmark or mole or if they develop any new growths on the skin. People should also contact a doctor if they experience any additional symptoms, such as those associated with VI or diabetes.

A doctor will work to diagnose the cause of a person’s symptoms and provide appropriate treatments.