Why Do I Have Brown Spots on My Legs?
Brown Spots Can Appear on the Legs for Many Reasons.
Pigmentation on the legs can be age spots or dark spots caused by sun exposure over a period of time. In more serious cases, these brown spots can be an early symptom of an underlying condition such as chronic venous insufficiency. It's important to consult a vein specialist for sudden spots on the legs to get an accurate diagnosis of your leg health for timely treatment.
Causes of Brown Spots
1. Age Spots
Age spots are the most common cause of this discoloration on the legs. These spots develop from constant sun exposure, hormonal changes, pregnancy, or some types of medications.
Age spots are typically not a medical concern and can be removed with laser treatments.
2. Actinic Keratosis
These are raised, scaly red lesions that appear in the areas that are frequently exposed to the sun. Actinic Keratosis is an early symptom of cancer and is recommended to be removed at an early stage.
3. Diabetes
People with diabetes tend to develop brown spots on the lower legs, especially around the shins. These brown spots rarely cause medical concerns on their own.
4. Venous Insufficiency
Brown spots on the legs can be an early sign of vein disorder, known as chronic venous insufficiency. Our veins contain one-way valves that open as blood flows toward heart and close to stop blood from flowing backward. When valves become weak and damaged, blood flows backward and pools in the veins, causing vein wall weakening which leads to vein stretching and dilation. This increases pressure in the veins which can cause fluid and blood to leak into surrounding tissue that can cause skin discoloration. This process also increases inflammation in the lower legs resulting in a symptomatic response with skin and tissue damage.
Other symptoms along with brown spots that might indicate the development of vein disease are:
Leg Aching/Leg Fatigue
Leg or Ankle Swelling
Leg Ulcers: an open wound that will not heal within 2 weeks.
When brown spots are associated with venous insufficiency, it's best to treat the condition before it develops into venous ulcers. The best way to treat vein disease is to treat the underlying vein disorder. At Physicians Vein Clinics, we offer minimally invasive vein procedures that can help remove the damaged vein and restore the health of the legs.
When To See a Vein Doctor?
Brown spots can be caused by any one or a combination of the above. When they are caused by venous insufficiency, these can be an indication of a serious medical condition that requires timely attention and treatment. How do you know if your brown spots are a concern?
If you have any of the following conditions, there is a chance that your brown spots may indicate vein disease:
Symptoms of aching, heaviness, swelling as listed above
Have a family history of varicose veins
Sitting or standing for long periods
Over the age of 50
Being overweight
Multiple pregnancies
Smoking
Consult a vein doctor for leg health monitoring or brown spots diagnosis if you meet one of the above conditions.
Remember, effective treatment starts with an accurate and timely diagnosis. Vein conditions can worsen over time and cause serious complications including irreversible edema, ulceration, and deep vein thrombosis (blood clots) if left untreated.
Find a Vein Treatment Center Near Me
Call us at (888)-782-8346 for a free screening with a vein specialist. We have 12 convenient vein clinics across South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota. Our vein clinics are facilitated with the most advanced minimally-invasive vein procedures. Our vein doctors are all board-certified and specialize in vein care and vein treatment for spider veins, varicose veins, and vein-related symptoms.
Medical Review: Dr. Lornell E. Hansen II, MD, is one of the area’s leading experts in laser technology and vein disorders. He is also the owner and medical director of Physicians Vein Clinics in Sioux Falls, SD; Mitchell, SD; Watertown, SD; Sioux City, IA; Sioux Center, IA; Fargo, ND; Burnsville, MN; Eagan, MN; Plymouth, MN; St. Paul, MN; Woodbury, MN; White Bear Lake, MN.