Skin Discoloration Causes

Whenever your skin changes its normal color, it is referred to as skin discoloration. Usually the skin contains a pigment called melanin which gives the skin its characteristic color. Depending on how much melanin is deposited in any part of the skin and the amount of blood flowing through that part of the skin, the color varies. At times the skin may turn white, black, yellow, orange or white due to several reasons, the most common being some underlying diseases. If something is wrong with the body or if there's skin disorder, the appearance of the skin may vary. The following paragraphs will give you a better idea of the skin discoloration causes, so that you know when to get in touch a doctor and seek necessary skin care measures.

Causes of Skin Discoloration

Injuries
Injuries is one of the most common skin discoloration causes, which makes the skin red as blood supply to and around the injured surface increases. If you get an infection, allergy or if you burn your skin, the injured area inflames thereby increasing the width of the capillaries so as to allow more blood to flow to the injured area. More the blood flows to the injured area, more the chances of the injury healing faster. The capillaries are situated close to the skin surface and as such heat energy from the body is transferred to the outer atmosphere faster than most people think. When the body goes through a lot of physical activity, due to the higher rates of metabolism, the body generates a lot of heat and as such the body temperature rises. The capillaries all over the skin dilates so as to allow better flow of blood so as to cool the body to an extent and as such the skin may appear red.

Diseases
Jaundice is the most common reason for the skin turning yellow. If you suffer from this condition, the first signs include yellowing of the skin around the eyes. This condition is caused because a chemical called bilirubin is not properly broken down by the liver. It's when there is some defect with the liver, that bilirubin is not broken down as much as it should have. It's due to the collection of bilirubin in the blood, that the skin seems yellow. The discoloration caused due to jaundice is not that serious a condition, but you need to take preventive measures as soon as possible.

Whitening of the Skin
Many a time, the skin becomes white in color and that's caused when enough blood does not flow through the capillaries. Blood flow is restricted for several reasons like anemia, allergies, ulcers, burns, shock and frostbite. Other than that, there may be some genetic mutation due to which the amount of melanin produced is stopped and this may cause whitening of the skin.

Cyanosis
Cyanosis is a condition wherein the skin becomes blue and that's caused due to lack of oxygen in the skin. Usually the iron atoms found in the blood is oxidized by oxygen, thereby giving it the characteristic red color. However, if there is lack of oxygen in any part of the body, the iron atoms remain as it is, and that's the reason the skin turns blue. So if the skin turns blue it means that enough oxygen is not being supplied to the skin. Some of the most common examples of cyanosis includes vascular disease, heart disease, asthma and emphysema.

Carotenodermia
If high amounts of carotenoids are accumulated in the skin, it turns orange and such a condition is called carotenodermia. Excess amounts of carotenoids can be accumulated if you consume foods rich in carotenoids like pumpkins, carrots, etc. But that's not the only reason, if your liver or kidney can't function in the proper order, it can also cause carotenodermia.

So all in all there may be several skin discoloration causes, and if you find that your skin shows some of these colors or any other defect, consult a doctor immediately, or else the underlying conditions may aggravate.