Why do I have dark spots on my calves?

Why do I have dark spots on my calves?

Leg freckles, or brown spots as they are most commonly known, are caused by hyperpigmentation that evolves from sun exposure and damage. You will find they are normally located in areas on your legs that have been clothless. You should be aware that these can often become dangerous in the long run.

What causes brown discoloration on lower legs?

The reddish-brown discoloration on the lower legs is caused by chronic venous disease–the abnormal function of veins. When your veins can’t pump blood back up to the heart properly, it pools in your lower legs. Symptoms start with slight skin irritations and itchiness, then manifest varicose veins.

How do I get rid of discoloration on my lower legs?

Two common forms of treatment include radiofrequency ablation and sclerotherapy.

1. Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure.
2. Sclerotherapy is similar to radiofrequency ablation but uses a sclerosant chemical solution to reroute the blood flow instead of a catheter and radiofrequency.

Is leg discoloration serious?

When left untreated, leg discoloration can lead to more serious issues, including pain, leg ulcers, or infection.

What do liver spots look like on legs?

The condition involves the appearance of pale brown to dark brown spots on the skin called solar lentigines, liver spots, or age spots. Age spots are flat, usually oval areas of the skin that have increased pigmentation. In other words, they’re darker than the surrounding skin. They may be brown, black, or gray.

What are liver spots on legs?

Age spots are small, flat dark areas on the skin. They vary in size and usually appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders and arms. Age spots are also called sunspots, liver spots and solar lentigines.

What causes brown blotches on legs?

You may notice that the skin on your lower legs becomes discolored or appears bruised as you age. The technical term for this is hemosiderin staining. It’s caused by a problem with the blood vessels in your legs called chronic venous insufficiency. You may need to make lifestyle changes to help fix the condition.

What are liver spots on the legs?

Age spots are caused by overactive pigment cells. Ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up the production of melanin, a natural pigment that gives skin its color. On skin that has had years of sun exposure, age spots appear when melanin becomes clumped or is produced in high concentrations.

What are the symptoms of a blocked artery in your leg?

What Are the Symptoms of a Blocked Artery in Your Leg?

• Painful cramping in one or both of your hips, thighs, or calf muscles after doing physical activities, such as walking or climbing stairs.
• Prolonged soreness on your feet, legs, and toes that don’t heal or are very slow to heal.
• Discoloration of legs.

What are the symptoms of poor blood circulation in the legs?

Symptoms of poor circulation are often easy to spot. They include muscle cramping, constant foot pain, and pain and throbbing in the arms and legs. As well as fatigue, varicose veins, and digestive issues. Leg cramps while walking and wounds that don’t seem to heal in your legs, feet, and toes are also symptoms.

What do cancerous age spots look like?

Spots that become asymmetric, have borders that shift, get darker or lighter, or change in diameter should be checked for skin cancer. Speed of changes. Age spots tend to shift from pink to yellow to tan to brown over several years. Spots that are changing more rapidly should be evaluated.

Can liver damage cause dark spots on skin?

Liver spots are flat, brown or black spots that can appear on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun. They have nothing to do with the liver or liver function. Lentigos, sometimes called age spots or freckles, are a result of cumulative damage to the skin by sunlight.

What does dark spots on legs mean?

If you have dark spots on your legs, you’re not alone. This generally happens when that patch of skin produces or contains more melanin than the surrounding skin. Melanin is what gives your skin its color. The more melanin you have, the darker your skin. Freckles and dark spots mean those areas have more melanin.

What does Hemosiderin staining look like?

Skin Conditions: Hemosiderin Staining

Hemosiderin Staining is the appearance of brownish patches above the ankles that usually occurs when red blood cells break down and begin to leak iron. As the iron deposits begin to accumulate under the skin, staining in the form of patches begins to develop.

Is venous stasis life threatening?

Left untreated, a minor venous insufficiency problem could lead to a potentially fatal medical emergency.

What are the warning signs of peripheral vascular disease?

Peripheral Vascular Disease Symptoms

• Buttock pain.
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs.
• Burning or aching pain in the feet or toes while resting.
• A sore on a leg or a foot that will not heal.
• One or both legs or feet feeling cold or changing color (pale, bluish, dark reddish)
• Loss of hair on the legs.
• Impotence.

What is stenosis in the legs?

Atherosclerosis can cause narrowing of any of the arteries throughout the body. This narrowing or occlusion is called stenosis, and can occur in the arteries in the (the legs), or more infrequently in the arms. When it occurs in the legs and feet, it causes a disease known as lower extremity arterial occlusive disease.

Can you reverse poor circulation in legs?

If you don’t do something about your bad circulation, it won’t get better on its own. In fact, it can get worse. But you can manage and improve your poor circulation with lifestyle changes, medication and surgery, if necessary.

How do I improve blood circulation in my legs?

Six Tips for Improving Blood Circulation in Legs

1. Walking. Walking is a simple, low-impact exercise that can help you create a more active and healthy lifestyle and may promote weight loss.
2. Stretching.
3. Position Your Body.
4. Wear Compression Stockings.
5. Stop Smoking.
6. Manage Your Stress Levels.

What does a leg melanoma look like?

Symptoms and traits to look out for include: raised or flat shape, often with irregular shape and borders, sometimes on an existing or new mole. brown, black, tan, red, blue, and even white, often a darker shade of a person’s normal skin tone. slow changes, often over the course of months or years.

What does Stage 1 melanoma look like?

Stage IA Melanoma: The melanoma tumor is less than 1.0 millimeter thick (less than the size of a sharpened pencil point) with or without ulceration (broken skin) when viewed under the microscope. Stage IB Melanoma: The melanoma tumor is more than 1.0 millimeter and less than 2.0 millimeters thick without ulceration.

What are the 4 warning signs of a damaged liver?

Tip-offs to Liver Damage

• Jaundice or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
• Pain and distention of the abdomen due to the release of fluid from the liver.
• Swelling of lower legs due to fluid retention.
• Confusion or forgetfulness.
• Dark-colored urine.
• Pale-colored stool.
• Chronic fatigue.
• Nausea or vomiting.

Should I worry about hemosiderin staining?

Though it can appear anywhere, it’s more prevalent on the lower legs. In many cases, hemosiderin staining can be permanent. The staining alone isn’t life-threatening, but it can be an indication of a more serious condition.

How do you get rid of venous stasis discoloration?

Treatments

1. Wear compression stockings. They ease swelling and improve blood flow.
2. Keep your feet elevated above your heart. When you can, do it for 15 minutes every 2 hours and while you sleep.
3. Don’t stand still for too long. Walk around often.

What does venous stasis look like?

What does venous stasis dermatitis look like? Venous stasis dermatitis causes significant changes in the appearance of the skin on your legs. The most common sign of venous stasis dermatitis is brown or red skin discoloration around your ankles and lower legs.