See detailed information below for a list of 14 causes of dark and light patches on the skin, symptom checker, including diseases and drug side effect causes. Patients who develop squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma often have recognizable precursor conditions. Skin cancer signs and symptoms seattle cancer care alliance. They vary in size and usually appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands. However, 6 or more of these spots that are greater than 0. Light brown patches on stomach ive had a light brown. Treatment, if warranted, involves surgical or cryosurgical removal. Most people develop more moles on their skin naturally with age and sun exposure, and most of the time these are harmless. Basal cell carcinoma bcc is the most common skin cancer in humans. However, they lie flat on skin against each other without having raised borders. In the middle photo, the black mark under the thumbnail could easily have been attributed to an injury or a nail fungus, but the patient recalled no injury and had no history of nail fungus. They are most often seen in fairskinned people with red hair but can be seen in people with darker skin colour too. Nov 24, 2017 seborrheic keratosis is a common, harmless, pigmented, noncancerous growth on the skin.
Skin changes due to burns, cuts, scrapes, orinsect bitesoften affect the arms and legs. Apr 15, 2016 discolored skin patches also commonly develop in a certain part of the body due to a difference in melanin levels. Brown spots and freckles on sunexposed skin are ephelides the plural of ephelis and lentigines the plural of lentigo. If you notice light brown patches that are flaky and irritated on your skin, its possible that you have eczema. Using sun block and wearing a hat would be helpful to reduce their occurance. Light brown flaky discoloration on the skin healthfully. Sep 14, 2015 it appeared to be flacky and it scratched off without bleeding and looked like there was never a mole there with perfect skin underneath. Melanin is the substance that provides color to the skin and protects it. Brown spots on skin, causes, pictures, patches, on chest. It may be well or illcircumscribed, waxy or scaly, translucent, skincolored to pink or brown, with telangiectases and a. Multiple lesions are seen with autosomal dominant inheritance or as part of the sign of lesertrelat, associated with malignancy.
These appear as light brown skin patches on light skin or black. Melanoma education foundation finding melanoma early. Sep 26, 2019 actinic keratosis is a patch of red or brown, scaly, rough skin, which can develop into any kind of skin cancer, but most commonly precede the appearance of a squamous cell carcinoma. Freckles are formed when the skin is exposed to the sun. Common substances include harsh chemicals and soaps. Talk with your doctor if you have a sore or scab that doesnt heal in about two months, or a flat patch of scaly skin that wont go away. It typically presents as a firm papule or nodule on sunexposed areas. About 10% of the general population has 1 or 2 of these spots, and do not have another disorder that is related to it. Light brown patches on stomach asked for female, 20 years ive had a light brown patch on my stomach for ages i dont even remember when it came up, i thought it was where my bra rubbed but ive had 3 more come up recently and im not sure what they are. A dysplastic nevus may occur anywhere on the body, but it is usually seen in areas exposed to the sun, such as on the back.
The white patch or spot is called leucoderma, and when it occurs without any preceding. If a bump grows on a mole or in a previously flat, discolored spot, see your dermatologist right. Hair and eye color also vary widely, depending on the type of albinism and degree of severity. Liver spots are flat, brown or black spots that can appear on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun. Moles can be flat or raised, smooth or rough, and some contain hair. However, dermatologists have several proven techniques for treating dark and light skin patches, including chemical peels and prescription.
Some rarer forms can cause lifethreatening immune or neurological problems. Melanin is the substance that provides color to the skin and protects it from the. Brown spots and freckles dermnet nz all about the skin. Generally, a white patch on skin isnt cause for concern. Age spots are flat brown, gray, or black spots on the. It can be the result of sunlight, genetics, or age and will not usual need to be treated. It isnt itchy, its rough, like 600 grit sandpaper, and discolored. People with lentigines have had a great deal of sun exposure and are at higher risk for skin cancers. They seem to be most noticible on my chest and the back of my neck right now though. Most moles are dark brown or black, but some are skincolored or yellowish. About 10% of the general population has 1 or 2 of these spots. Leucoderma or vitiligo is a skin disease characterized by white spots and patches on the skin they can also be caused by fungus and tinea. Small skin marks caused by pigmentproducing cells in the skin.
There are hundreds of diseases of the skin, and norris dermatology in portland, or, specializes in diagnosing and treating these common skin lesions. The three most common ones are melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Ive taken a scissor to the patch on my abdomen area, taking a blade. Most moles are benign and no treatment is necessary. I am wondering if this is some type of skin infection such as tinea versiclor, even though it does not look like it does in pictures ive seen. Conditions that cause discolored skin patches, with pictures. Jul 08, 20 if it arises on normal skin, it starts as a flat brown to black growth, then grows out or down. Several skin lesions are very common and almost always benign noncancerous. Age spots are the flat, brown, or black spots that are found on the skin. Some doctors believe that most of these melanomas originate on the skin and arise. Mar 04, 2020 the skin rash is made up of scattered pink, tan, brown or white patches on the skin. Skin can be completely white, reddish brown, or even normally colored.
I am a 17 year old female, im 58 and weigh about 150 pounds. It appeared to be flacky and it scratched off without bleeding and looked like there was never a mole there with perfect skin underneath. Brown spots on the skin, also referred to as liver spots, may occur when extra melanin clumps together 4. I have been married seven years and am in a monogamous relationship. Skin can be completely white, reddishbrown, or even normally colored. Diagnose my skin rash a helpful guide to identify your. However, we need to conduct skin checks regularly recommended monthly, especially there is a family history of skin cancer, or at least every three months to check whether they have changed. Skin cancer is more common in fairskinned people, especially those with blond or red hair and light colored eyes. These can be flat or raised and range from pale to dark brown or. Sometimes, the light brown spots can be signs of skin cancer. While most arent serious, they can cause symptoms that range from mildly annoying to extremely painful. Skin discoloration can be triggered by a number of causes, including.
I have had them for years and retin a will get rid of them, it may take sometime but it helps all of that come off. If the area begins to enlarge then have it evaluated. Seborrheic keratosis is a common, harmless, pigmented, noncancerous growth on the skin. These conditions include moles, freckles, skin tags, benign lentigines, and seborrheic keratoses.
Sun spots or lentigines, are harmless, flat, brown discolorations of the skin which usually occur on the back of the hands, neck and face of people older than 40 years of age. Apr 10, 2016 a clear look at brown spots on face, see some case pictures and know more about causes, patches as well the treatment of facial skin brown spots. If anything looks unusual and seems to suddenly show up on the skin, or if there is concern it could be melanoma skin cancer, have the spot examined by a medical professional. Fortunately, most skin lesions are very common and benign noncancerous. Leucoderma, sometimes known as vitiligo, is a rare skin disease characterized by white spots and patches. These are light brown todark brown flat spots with smooth or irregular borders. The difference between an ephelis and a lentigo is that an ephelis fades during the winter months while a lentigo persists in the absence of ultraviolet uv stimulation. These brown spots are in sun exposed area and are generally precancerous lesions or actino keratosis.
Moles can change over time and often respond to hormonal changes. Cnn health reports that ultraviolet light increases the production of melanin, a dark pigment in the skin. They are caused by the skin being exposed to the sun over many years and are a sigh of sun damage. Actinic keratosis is a fairly common skin condition. Most moles are dark brown or black, but others are skincolored or yellowish. Can you recognize benign skin lesions from cancerous ones. Also called a nevus simplex, this flat red or pink patch of skin typically occurs. Couple years ago, rough, discolored brown patches of skin appeared in the pit areasides of the chest. A flat or slightly raised, discolored patch with irregular borders and possible areas of tan, brown, black, red, blue or white superficial spreading melanoma a firm bump, often black but occasionally blue, gray, white, brown, tan, red or your usual skin tone nodular melanoma. If the brown patch isnt a sun spot or age spot, it could be a mole or a freckle. These patches are usually flat, without texture, but may flake.
To diagnose my skin rash if it is red and nonscaly, consider. Age spots liver spots symptoms and causes mayo clinic. The area is then exposed to intense laser light that targets and kills the cells. Pediatric benign skin growths and pigmentation disorders. Sunspots are flat brown spots that develop on areas of your skin that are exposed to the sun. They have nothing to do with the liver or liver function. Sometimes a small area of skin becomes irritated or develops mild eczema, which results in a patch of skin thats lighter in. Almost half of all americans who live to age 65 will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some point in their lives, according to the national cancer institute. Age spots are also known as the liver spots, solar lentigines, or even sun spots. Common symptoms of skin cancer include irregular shapecolor, bigger than one centimeter spots, and irregularly thickened spots. Exposure to sun and tanning beds, both of which emit ultraviolet light, can hasten the development of these liver spots. Postinflammatory changes in skin color causes brown spots to appear after a traumatic injury such as acne, which leaves a light to dark brown discoloration on the face or the trunk.
Although this skin condition isnt lifethreatening, it can be a nuisance, as the flaky patches can be itchy, tight and uncomfortable. Discolored skin patches also commonly develop in a certain part of the body due to a difference in melanin levels. Liver spots are changes in skin color that occur in older skin. Light brown raised spot on skin doctors answer your.
They normally occur on the sunexposed areas of the skin. Each person will usually have only one of the colors. Unlike the saborrheic keratosis spots, these spots do not grow outwards from the skin in bumps. Sometimes a small area of skin becomes irritated or develops mild eczema, which results in a patch of skin thats lighter in pigment than is the skin around it pityriasis alba.
These are light browntodark brown flat spots with smooth or irregular borders. A nevus is a mole, and dysplastic nevi are abnormal moles. Some people have only a couple of dysplastic nevi, but other people have more than 10. A red, raised patch on or in your anus or genitals. The light pink areas of scar tissue indicate where the immune system has eradicated. A dysplastic nevus may also appear in areas not exposed to the sun, such as the scalp, breasts, and areas below the waist 1, 3. Freckles are small flat brown marks that most often appear on the face and other exposed parts of the body in the summer months. It can be the result of sunlight, genetics, or age and. Hello, last week i noticed a dimesized flat brown pigmented splotch on my upper right thigh in my groin area. Norris dermatology tests for and treats many common skin lesions. Pediatric benign skin growths and pigmentation disorders share.
The coloring may be due to aging, exposure to the sun or other sources of ultraviolet light, or causes that are not. A common skin disorder that is characterized by benign, painless, often wartlike skin lesions that appear to be stuck on. Common moles, dysplastic nevi, and risk of melanoma. These are brown patches on skin that may appear light in color, and that is why they are referred to as coffee with milk spots. Aug 28, 2019 generally, a white patch on skin isnt cause for concern. May 30, 2014 they present as wellcircumscribed, waxy, flat or verrucous, skin colored to brown or black papules, that occur on any body site, with the exception of the palms, soles, and mucous membranes. Most moles are dark brown or black, but some are skin colored or yellowish. Finding a new lesion on your skin can be unnerving. Flat brown pigmented splotch in groin dermatology medhelp.