Chloasma (ostuda, melasma, melasma) are brownish spots of a benign nature, localized in the cheeks, neck and forehead. This pathology is more susceptible to people with dark skin. According to statistics, this manifestation of pigmentation is several times more common in the fair sex than in men.
Chloasma. What it is?
Chloasma is understood as a pathological process of the skin, expressed in excessive pigmentation against the background of increased hormones or diseases of the genitourinary sphere, as well as during gestation. In the latter case, the problem is temporary and passes after the baby is born, when the hormonal background of the woman is fully restored.
Excessive pigmentation is manifested by symmetrical dark brown spots on both sides of the face with torn edges. At the same time, darkening of the skin around the mammary glands, the genital area can be observed. In fact, chloasma is considered an acquired age spots. Its formation is explained by excessive deposition of melanin on a limited part of the epidermis.
In medical guides you can find another name for pathology - melasma. Chloasma (chloas) in Greek means "green", and melasma (melas) - "dark". From a linguistic point of view, the second option is more correct for use.
Main reasons
- Pregnancy.
- Change in hormonal levels.
- Inflammatory processes in the body.
- Diseases of gynecological nature.
- Prolonged sunbathing.
- Intoxication of the body.
- Taking certain groups of drugs.
- The use of cosmetics, which contain essential oils.
- Deficiency of vitamins B9 and C.
Clinical picture
Chloasma is the increased pigmentation of a limited area of the skin. It has uneven borders and never rises above the surface. Coloring can vary, starting with a yellowish tint and ending with a brownish-brown color. The size of the pathology in some cases does not exceed one centimeter in diameter, and in others it occupies entire areas on the face.
The forehead, nose bridge, upper lip, cheeks are all favorite places where chloasma is most often localized. Photos of patients with such a diagnosis can be found in specialized medical guides. Rarely enough, pigmentation is found on the inner thighs and chest. It is not accompanied by itching or painful discomfort.
The "pigment line" also refers to a disease of chloasma. What it is? This is dyschromia, which has the appearance of a pigmented strip, the width of which does not exceed 10 mm. It runs through the entire forehead and ends on the side of the neck. This variant of pathology is considered the first sign of existing disorders in the central nervous system (brain tumor, Parkinson's disease, etc.).
What ailments can be confused with chloasma?
- Birthmarks (hyperpigmentation of the skin at the congenital level). They can appear on absolutely any part of the body. It is impossible to get rid of them through the use of acids or peels, as they can develop into malignant neoplasms.
- Adnexitis (inflammation in the appendages resulting from an infectious process). The disease is most often asymptomatic, affecting exclusively hormonal processes in the body. That is why stains of chloasma in this case will indicate the presence of a more serious ailment.
- Liver pathologies provoke metabolic disturbances in the body, as a result of which excessive deposition of melanin in the upper layers of the dermis can be observed.
Views and localization
Currently, experts distinguish several types of chloasma, among which the following are most often diagnosed:
- Okolorotovaya (mainly found in young girls).
- Broca's pigmented dermatosis (characterized by a relapsing course).
- Bronze chloasma (the reasons for the development of this pathology have not been fully studied, however, it is most often found among residents of Asian countries).
- The near-oral parakeratosis of Degos.
Epidermal, mixed, dermal and asymptomatic chloasma are also distinguished. What it is? This classification takes into account the degree of penetration of the pigment into the skin. For example, the dermal variant is characterized by the absence of a clear boundary between normal areas of the skin and the affected.
Establishing diagnosis
To confirm the ailment, it is enough for a specialist to conduct a physical examination of the patient and exclude his innate / post-inflammatory nature. Additionally, a number of studies can be prescribed for the diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract and liver (analysis for dysbiosis, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, biochemical liver tests, coprogram). To exclude ailments of the sexual sphere, women are recommended to consult a gynecologist.
Treatment features
First of all, it should be noted that chloasma, the treatment of which is necessarily complex, is a very insidious manifestation of pigmentation. In addition to prescribing medicines, the patient, as a rule, is prescribed a whole system of behavior aimed at a speedy recovery. First of all, it is recommended to protect yourself from sunbathing and restrict access to the solarium. According to the results of the tests, you can start drinking hormones in order to slightly adjust their indicators in the body. It is equally important to take prebiotics to restore the digestive tract microflora.
Chloasma on the face is very treatable with medication. In this case, experts recommend taking vitamins B and C, folic acid. Excellent results are given by bleaching creams (for example, "Ahremin"). Additionally acid peeling may be recommended.
If a woman is in position, therapy is selected taking into account her state of health. In most cases, treatment is completely delayed, since after the baby is born, chloasma passes on its own.
Help traditional medicine
At home, self-treatment is allowed, but only after consulting a specialist and passing all the necessary tests.
There are a great many folk remedies for skin whitening, which include baking soda, toothpaste, chamomile infusion, lemon juice and many others. All of them are aimed at reducing the progression of such a pathology as chloasma. How to get rid of a problem at home? Below we list the most popular recipes.
- You will need to mix five tablespoons of turmeric powder with 10 tablespoons of regular milk. The resulting mixture should look like dough. It should be applied to problem areas of the face and allowed to dry. After 10 minutes, rinse under running water and wipe the skin dry with a towel. This procedure is recommended to be repeated daily until the spots are completely clarified.
- Lemon juice must be mixed with honey in equal proportions, add a couple of tablespoons of parsley. The resulting mixture should be laid out in an even layer on the affected area and left for 10 minutes. The result is not long in coming.
- Apple cider vinegar not only removes age spots, but also makes the whole face lighter. You will need to mix it with water in a ratio of 1: 1 and wipe the skin daily. It is better to use a fresh "medicine", in a diluted state it should not be stored.
- Parsley seeds also give excellent results in treating this problem. It will take 100 g of seeds to fill in 0.5 l of vodka and leave to infuse for two weeks. After this period, you can safely use the medicine. It is recommended to wipe the affected area with infusion. It is equally useful to eat parsley greens daily.
- In the fight against chloasma, almonds can help. Half a glass of nuts should be poured with a glass of boiling water. Then you need to pass them through a meat grinder, and simply drain the water into a bowl. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the resulting gruel. You can apply such a mask for 30 minutes, and then rinse with almond water.
The above folk remedies allow you to forget about excessive pigmentation. Such procedures can be repeated until the desired result is obtained.
Prevention
No matter how easy the disease can be treated, it is always easier to prevent. To prevent the development of chloasma, it is recommended to protect your skin from sun exposure. For these purposes, you should use special creams, wear hats with a visor. Skin contact with chemicals (gasoline, engine oil) is also recommended to minimize. We should not forget about the importance of timely treatment of diseases, proper and proper nutrition. Thanks to such simple tips, you can not ask what symptoms are associated with chloasma, look for photos of patients with such a diagnosis in the specialized literature.
Conclusion
Of course, every pathology requires a qualified approach to treatment. In this regard, chloasma is no exception. What it is, how to properly treat the problem and what precautions are required, we have discussed in the most detailed way in this article. We hope that all the information provided on the topic will be really useful to you. Be healthy!