Diagnosis of skin discoloration
The basic element in the fight against skin discoloration is diagnosis, which will help plan effective treatment in Warsaw. Here a dermatologist will come to your aid and decide on the next steps. The process of diagnosing skin discoloration consists of several elements. Among the types of hyperpigmentation we can mention:
- Freckles
- Age discoloration
- Discoloration after acne
- Melasma (chloasma)
- Melanosis
- Drug-induced discoloration
Patient interview and medical history
The doctor must know the patient's medical history to determine where the problem lies. Many elements can influence persistent skin discoloration. Information is gathered on diseases and medications taken, sun exposure of sensitive areas, and possible hormonal changes.
Skin examination
At this stage, the doctor can assess the type and nature of the discoloration. The locations of their occurrence are also determined. At this stage, it can be determined whether the lesions are related to disease, genetic or external factors.
Laboratory tests
There are cases when the doctor will need to order additional tests in the laboratory. These may include checking vitamin D levels, thyroid function and hormone determinations. This information will help provide information about the overall health of a patient suffering from persistent skin discoloration.
Wood's lamp examination
One technique that can effectively identify skin discoloration is the Wood's lamp. Although the device was invented more than 120 years ago, it gives excellent results. It allows during the consultation to analyze the skin and its defects. Before the examination, the patient should remember not to use intensive creams containing petroleum jelly and salicylic acids, and the skin should be washed with soap. This type of examination does not give a definitive result, but is a prelude to the tests we described above. Statistically, one in three women has skin discoloration, and its incidence increases with age. When noticing changes in yourself that were not there before, it is worth going to a dermatologist in Warsaw, who will help determine the cause.