Mottling of the Skin

In medical terminology, patchy discoloration of the skin is referred to as dyschromia. Skin discoloration, or mottling of the skin, could be caused due to a wide range of reasons. The uneven patches on the skin could be caused due to changes in the blood vessels located in the middle layer of the skin or the subcutaneous layer under the dermis. Exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun is also one of the most common cause of pigmentation of the skin. Certain skin disorders or underlying medical conditions could also result in skin discoloration. In this article, we will look into the common causes of dyschromia and how it can be treated.

What Causes Mottling of the Skin?

People of all age groups could suffer from mottling of the skin. Changes in the levels of melanin, a substance that lends color to our iris, hair and skin, could be responsible for causing mottled skin. Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells. At times, these cells might start producing excessive amounts of melanin. This leads to hyperpigmentation. It is believed that prolonged exposure to sun or hormonal changes can be responsible for hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation could be diffused or concentrated in particular areas. In case of women, hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy could be responsible for causing patchy skin. Skin blotches could also occur due to vitiligo. Melasma or tinea versicolor are some skin conditions that could cause skin discoloration as well.

As mentioned earlier, changes in the blood vessels located under the epidermis could cause mottling of the skin. Use of blood thinning medications or inflammation of the blood vessels could also be responsible for rupturing of dermal blood vessels. As these rupture, blood might leak into the tissues under the skin and the formation of blood spots under the skin could make the skin appear patchy. Blood spots are classified into purpura and petechiae. Petechiae are tiny red dots on skin while purpura are bigger in size. Mottling of the skin in newborns could be attributed to rupturing of blood vessels while the baby is squeezed out through the birth canal during childbirth. These might also appear while the infant is having a bowel movement. Cutis marmorata could also cause mottled skin in infants. This is one condition wherein, some of the blood vessels dilate on being exposed to intense cold. It is believed that the skin discoloration is caused due to instability of the nerve supply to the superficial capillaries under the skin. Conditions such as telangiectasia or livedo reticularis also cause vascular changes that consequently lead to mottling of the skin. The lacy uneven patches of reddish and pale skin could also be attributed to unstable blood circulation. Poor blood circulation causes the skin to turn blue or purple. Reduced blood circulation is the reason behind mottling of the skin before death.

How to Treat Mottling of the Skin

Now that you are aware of the common causes of mottling of the skin, let's move on to the treatment options. If mottled skin is caused due to blood disorders, vascular diseases or skin conditions, the only way to treat this condition is to treat the underlying disease. Since patchy skin might be caused due to exposure to the sun, only way to prevent further sun damage is to minimize one's exposure to the sun. Application of a sunscreen with a high SPF, use of broad-brimmed hats and sunglasses can help in protecting the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. If freckles and age spots are affecting your facial beauty, you should consult a dermatologist for the treatment of age spots. There are various methods that can help in getting rid of age spots. These include microdermabrasion, use of chemical peels, photorejuvenation or laser therapy.

This was some information on causes of mottling of the skin. It is important to ascertain whether patches on skin are caused due to medical conditions, or are a sign of sun damage. If your skin has turned patchy, consult a doctor soon.