Serious causes of skin turning black

A sudden change in the color of the skin of the leg, face, hand, or back to black occurs as a result of a change in skin pigments, and this is due to several factors and reasons that affect the skin, which leads to this change. In this article, we will learn about the most prominent causes of skin color changing to black through the "Dalili Medical" website.

**What is dark or black skin?**

Dark skin, also known as hyperpigmentation, is the appearance of patches of skin that are darker than the surrounding areas, and this change may include the entire surface of the skin. This change in color occurs as a result of excessive production of melanin, which is the pigment normally found in the skin. Melanin deposits form, making the skin color darker, and this condition can develop in people of all races.

Melasma is a type of increased skin pigmentation that usually appears on areas exposed to sunlight, and appears in the form of small spots known as "age spots" or freckles, which may result from damage resulting from exposure to sunlight over a long period. Sun exposure is one of the most common causes of darkening of the skin, as melanin absorbs energy from ultraviolet rays as a natural way to protect the skin from damage.

Dark skin can also occur as a result of hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy or when using birth control pills, or due to Addison's disease, which is characterized by a defect in the production of hormones by the adrenal gland.

Dark skin can also result from a combination of sun exposure and allergic reactions to certain plants or chemicals.

**What causes dark spots on the legs?**

If a person has insulin-dependent diabetes and suffers from low insulin production, this indicates that the body is not using insulin effectively. Insulin can build up in the bloodstream, causing dark spots to appear on the skin, including black spots on the legs and other parts of the body.

**Can turmeric remove dark spots on the legs?**

Turmeric is an effective substance in lightening the skin, as its curcumin content helps reduce the production of excess melanin, which helps lighten the skin tone, including dark spots on the legs.

**Causes of darkening of the face**

1. **Genetic factors**: Darkening of the face may be the result of genetic factors passed down from parents or grandparents, in which case, skin color cannot be changed, and it must be accepted as part of God's creation.

2. **Climate change**: Changes in temperature, especially during the summer, affect skin color, as high temperatures and strong sunlight contribute, as is the case in some African countries such as Somalia, Sudan and Nigeria.

3. **Skin peeling**: Skin peeling can lead to darkening, in which case, it is recommended to use preparations that help restore the natural color of the skin.

4. **Allergy**: Cheap cosmetics or allergies to some foods may cause dark spots, leading to darkening of the face.

5. **Pimples and blackheads**: The noticeable spread of pimples and blackheads can contribute to darkening of the face and increasing its dark color.

6. **Psychological state**: The psychological state plays a major role in darkening of the face, as negative feelings such as sadness and anxiety can lead to changes in skin color.

7. **Swimming**: Exposure to strong sunlight and chlorinated water can lead to darkening of the skin, in addition to irritation and burns.

**Dryness**: It occurs as a result of following a harsh diet or due to dry weather, so it is necessary to moisturize the skin on a daily and continuous basis.

**Malnutrition**: Lack of eating vegetables and fruits, in addition to not drinking sufficient amounts of water daily, leads to darkening of the skin. Also, using some creams may contribute to darkening the skin color instead of lightening it and increasing its freshness.

**Hormonal changes:** Pregnant women or during their menstrual cycle experience sudden hormonal changes that affect skin color.

**Taking certain medications:** Some antibiotics, hormonal treatments, and anti-inflammatory medications can cause skin discoloration and darkening of the face.

**Pregnancy:** Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause melasma.

**Dark skin:** People with dark skin are more susceptible to skin color changes.

**Sensitive medications:** Some medications, such as ciprofloxacin, increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight.

**Chemical medications:** Some medications, such as some chemotherapy treatments, cause dark spots to appear on the skin as a side effect.

**Genetic causes of dark skin**

Dark skin can be the result of congenital or genetic conditions, including:

- **Acanthus (Nigricans)**.
- **Pigment incontinence**.
- **Neurofibromatosis** (where light or dark brown spots appear on the skin from birth, known as café-au-lait spots).
- **Xeroderma pigmentosum** (a genetic disorder that affects DNA repair).
- **Addison's disease** (which causes the adrenal glands to overproduce hormones).
- **Cushing's disease** (which leads to high levels of corticosteroids in the blood).
- **Hyperthyroidism**.
- **Diabetic dermopathy** (where light brown spots appear as a result of diabetes-related changes in the blood vessels).
- **Freckles**.
- **Hemochromatosis**.
- **Tinea versicolor** (a fungal infection of the skin caused by Malassezia furfur).
Do hormones cause skin discoloration to turn black?

Yes, hormonal changes in the body can be a cause of skin discoloration to turn black, and this occurs in several cases, the most prominent of which are:

- Pregnancy.
- Using birth control pills.
- Cushing's disease.
- Addison's disease.
- Hyperthyroidism.

 Causes of darkening of the face in children

Some parents may notice darkening of the face in their children, which

Pushing them to pay attention to all the details related to their children's health. The most prominent reasons that may lead to this condition are:

1. Infection with a red viral rash due to exposure to fever.
2. The appearance of dark skin spots due to chickenpox.
3. Increased production of skin pigment, which leads to darkening of the face.
4. Continuous exposure to sunlight without using appropriate sunscreen.
5. The appearance of a rash or pimples on the face.
6. Hormonal changes that may occur as the child ages.
7. The appearance of moles on the face.
8. Infection with pityriasis versicolor.
9. Infection with vitiligo or pityriasis alba.

What are the causes of dark spots on the legs?

There are many causes for the appearance of dark spots on the legs, and although some of them may be simple, some of these spots may indicate more serious health problems. Possible causes include:

1. **Sun damage**: Sun damage may contribute to the appearance of dark spots on the legs. Melanin production increases in response to sunlight, causing certain areas of the skin to produce more melanin than the surrounding skin, resulting in dark spots from overexposure to sunlight.

2. **Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation**: Conditions such as eczema, acne, psoriasis, or skin injuries can lead to inflammation and increased melanin production in the affected areas, resulting in dark spots.

3. **Diabetes**: Some people with diabetes may have insulin resistance, which affects the body’s ability to use insulin properly. As a result, excess insulin may build up in the bloodstream, leading to a black stripe of skin around the neck, known as acanthosis nigricans, which may also affect the legs.

4. **Skin cancer**: Skin cancer is a type of cancer that typically appears on the face or trunk in men, while women are more likely to develop it on their legs. Melanoma can arise from an existing mole or appear as a new lesion.

5. **Addison's disease**: This rare condition can cause general hyperpigmentation, especially in sun-exposed areas and pressure points, resulting in darker skin on the knees.

6. **Age spots**: As you age, dark spots known as age spots may appear. These spots can be caused by factors such as sun exposure, hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, or prolonged use of certain medications.

 Causes of skin pigmentation around the mouth

1. **Excessive exposure to sunlight**: Continuous exposure to harmful sun rays leads to the accumulation of melanin pigment in the skin.

2. **Recovering from acne**: Recovering from acne or exposure to skin burns may leave marks that lead to skin pigmentation.

3. **Hormonal changes**: Hormonal changes occur in the body, especially during pregnancy, which may contribute to skin pigmentation.

4. **Taking certain medications**: Some medications, such as birth control pills, may lead to skin pigmentation.

5. **Melasma**: Melasma may appear on the upper lip during pregnancy.

6. **Infection**: Infection or inflammation around the mouth can lead to skin pigmentation.

### Cases in which skin peeling methods are prohibited

1. **Children under 12 years old**: It is preferable to avoid skin peeling in this age group.

2. **People with allergies**: Those who are allergic to one of the ingredients of the creams should avoid using them.

3. **Pregnant and breastfeeding women**: It is recommended to consult a doctor before using any skin peeling treatments or creams or laser techniques, and it is usually preferable to wait until the end of the breastfeeding period.

4. **People with infections or skin diseases**: Skin peeling should be avoided in the event of an infection or any skin condition.

Symptoms of skin darkening

After discussing the reasons for skin turning black, let us say that there are many symptoms that accompany skin darkening and turning black, and these symptoms are as follows:

In the case of exposure to chemicals, skin darkening is accompanied by a feeling of severe burning.

It can also be accompanied by dry and peeling skin.

It is also likely that skin darkening is accompanied by itching.

It may also be exposed to redness and swelling.

Symptoms that affect the body during skin darkening

In addition to talking about the reasons for skin darkening, a person is often exposed to some symptoms that accompany skin darkening. These symptoms are related to other systems and organs in the body, and these symptoms are as follows:

Depression may accompany skin darkening.

It may also be accompanied by fatigue or diarrhea.

A person whose skin has turned black may also suffer from loss of appetite.

Arthritis is also one of the things that may appear with dark skin in many cases.

In addition to feeling pain in the lower abdomen at times.

A person may lose his appetite in conjunction with the change in skin color to black.

Serious symptoms associated with the change in skin color to dark

When looking for the causes of the change in skin color to black, it is important to note that there are some symptoms that if they appear with skin darkening, they indicate a serious condition that requires consulting a doctor. These symptoms include the following:

- Constipation or diarrhea.
- Depression or mood swings.
- Excessive urination or extreme thirst.
- Arthritis and delayed menstruation, if they occur with skin darkening.
- Feeling severe pain in the upper abdomen on the right side.

How to avoid skin darkening

It is difficult to prevent hyperpigmentation in many cases due to its multiple causes, but the risk of exposure to it can be reduced in several ways, such as:

- Protecting the skin from sunlight.
- Avoid using any lightening creams or others without consulting a doctor.
- Avoid scratching the skin when suffering from skin diseases such as acne.

**Treatment of skin discoloration**

Topical creams such as hydroquinone and retinol (vitamin A) cream are considered to be

Prescription-strength options are effective for reducing the appearance of dark spots on the skin.

**Laser treatment** Both intense pulsed light and Q-switched lasers are commonly used to lighten dark areas of skin.

**Chemical peel** Chemical peels containing salicylic acid and glycolic acid can be used to remove the discolored outer layer of skin. It is advisable to talk to your healthcare provider about your options to determine which treatment is best for you, and to discuss the side effects, costs, and effectiveness of each treatment.

**Treatment of hyperpigmentation around the mouth with creams**

Treatment of skin darkening around the mouth is more complicated than other areas of the face due to the sensitivity of this area. There are several treatments that can be used to lighten the skin and get rid of excess pigment around the mouth, including:

- **Retinoids or hydroquinone**: These creams, derived from vitamin A, are used at night before bed, and it is best to start with them gradually to avoid any allergic reactions. The patient begins by using them once every other day for a week, then they are used daily on the targeted area. Retinoids exfoliate the outer layer of skin that contains melanin pigment accumulations, and help open pores, reduce scars and acne, and also contribute to tightening the skin and reducing wrinkles and fine lines around the mouth.

- **Azelaic acid**: Azelaic acid helps exfoliate the outer layers of the skin, which prevents the clogging of the pores of the sebaceous glands and works to kill bacteria that cause infections around the mouth, which prevents the appearance of dark spots and removes pigments accumulated in skin cells.

- **Chemical peeling**: Chemical peeling is used to get rid of unwanted layers of skin, as it stimulates the process of skin replacement to obtain healthier and younger skin. Specific types of exfoliating acids such as lactic acid and glycolic acid are used in specific concentrations due to the sensitivity of the area around the mouth. It is preferable to use exfoliating acids at a rate of once a week at most, which gives the skin enough time to renew cells and build new skin layers. The doctor applies the peeling cream to the dark areas for 5 to 15 minutes as needed, then removes the peeling acids to avoid skin burns or any unwanted complications.

**Skin Darkening Treatment**

**Lemon Extract** Lemon is one of the most common ways to unify skin tone and restore it to its natural state, thanks to its vitamin C content, which makes it effective in lightening dark skin and getting rid of dark spots. However, caution should be exercised when using it on sensitive skin, as it is preferable to choose other safer methods. Lemon can be used in several ways to lighten the skin, including:

- Spray lemon juice on the skin using a spray bottle.
- Gently rub the skin with lemon peel.
- Include lemon in mask recipes, such as mixing it with a cup of yogurt and a spoonful of honey, as this recipe is considered one of the most famous effective ways to get rid of skin darkening.

**Cucumber Slices** Cucumber is known for its great ability to lighten dark areas, and is often used to lighten dark circles. It also helps relieve sunburns, and reduces itching and swelling. Cucumber can be used by peeling it and placing the peel on the dark area, or cutting the cucumber into rings and placing them directly on the affected skin.

**Tomato chips** Tomatoes are considered one of the effective natural recipes for lightening dark areas on the skin. Tomatoes can be cut into thin slices and placed on clean skin, and you will notice the difference in a short time. However, caution should be exercised when using them for those with sensitive skin due to their acidic nature.

**White honey** In addition to its many benefits and its ability to moisturize and soothe the skin, honey also has the ability to lighten dark areas. It works to increase skin moisture, which helps in exfoliating dead skin and renewing cells.