Freckles: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What are freckles?

Freckles are brown spots that appear on the skin. Sometimes, the spots that appear can vary in appearance and shape, for example reddish, yellow, brown, light brown, to black.

This condition can be seen more clearly with sun exposure. These patches often appear in groups, and are most common on the cheeks, nose, arms and upper shoulders.

Some people are more prone to experiencing this condition than other individuals. This depends on the color of the skin and the types of genes present in the body.

This condition generally does not endanger your health. However, in some rare and more serious cases, freckles on your skin may potentially turn into skin cancer if not treated promptly.

There are 2 types of skin freckles, namely normal freckles and freckles sunburn. Sunburn freckles looks darker and bigger. Sunburn appear where people frequently experience sunburn such as the upper back and shoulders.

How common are freckles?

Brown spots or freckles are a very common condition. This condition can be found in children aged 1-2 years.

This condition is more common in people with light skin and hair than in people with darker skin. This is due to differences in hormone production in the body.

Freckles are a condition that can be treated by controlling the existing risk factors. To find out more information about this condition, you can consult a doctor.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of freckles?

Freckles are small spots on the skin that are darker than the surrounding area. When exposed to sunlight, the spots are more visible. Some experts claim that sun exposure increases the number of freckles on the skin.

When should I see a doctor?

Freckles do not require handling because they are not dangerous. However, this condition can affect your appearance in the long run

If you are worried about why the condition will go away or not, always consult a doctor.

Each sufferer's body shows signs and symptoms that vary. To get the most appropriate treatment and according to your health condition, always have any medical conditions checked by the doctor or the nearest health service center.

Cause

What causes freckles?

Freckles are skin cells that contain the skin color, namely melann. Melanin is a fairly serious chemical, which is the same as melanocytes.

Sunlight has the potential to harm your skin as it can exacerbate freckles. Too much sun can also cause your skin to blacken, burn, and have patches.

Therefore, human skin is very dependent on one of its main protectors, namely melanin. Melanin serves to protect the skin from ultraviolet exposure to the sun by reflecting the rays it absorbs.

In addition, genetic factors also play a big role in the appearance of spots on the skin. Basically, melanin is of two types, namely pheomelanin and eumelanin. Eumelanin can protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation on the sun, whereas pheomelanin does not.

The type of melanin produced by the body is influenced by a gene called MC1R. People with dark skin, hair, and eye color usually produce more eumelanin than people with skin and hair.

In addition, people who are born with red, blonde, or light brown hair and fair skin produce more pheomelanin in their bodies.

Because of this, the condition occurs more frequently in people with fair skin and hair from birth. In most cases, the melanocyte tissue counts to the same as the skin area. In areas that have freckles, melanin production is more than the surrounding area.

Sun burns can worsen the symptoms of skin spots. Sun burns encourage melanocyte cells to produce more melanin as a natural response to protect the skin from sun damage.

Risk factors

What increases my risk of developing freckles?

Freckles or freckles is a skin condition that can occur in almost anyone, regardless of age group and race. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk for this skin condition.

It is important for you to know that having one or more risk factors does not mean that you will definitely experience the condition at another time. In some cases, there is a small chance that you will experience a condition without any risk factors.

Risk factors that can trigger the appearance of skin spots or freckles are:

1. Descendants of the family

Skin spots can be inherited genetically. This means, if your parents have freckles on their face and it lasts long enough, your chances of developing this condition are much greater.

2. Race

People with whiter skin and hair tones have significantly less melanin. When sunlight causes melanocytes to produce more melanin, the skin will actually develop dark spots.

Therefore, people from white race will have freckles more easily, compared to people with dark skin.

3. Exposure to sunlight too long

Freckles on the face are formed due to sun exposure. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can encourage melanocytes to produce more melanin. This turned out to have an effect on the skin.

People who are often exposed to sunlight because they are almost daily activities outside the home are more prone to experiencing this condition.

4. Undergo hormonal therapy or treatment

People who take therapy and treatments to control or increase hormones, such as women who take hormone therapy after menopause.

So, if you have been on this medication, your skin may be more susceptible to sun exposure.

Drugs & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How are freckles diagnosed?

Freckles or freckles are clearly visible to the human eye. However, their appearance is sometimes very similar to other marks or features that can appear on the body, such as moles and sun spot.

Sun spot, liver spot, or age spots caused by exposure to the sun, so that it looks more or less like freckles. Sun spot are generally much larger in size than this condition, are more pronounced, and generally appear on the skin of both adults and the elderly.

If this condition tends to be more common in people with light skin and hair, sun spot it can occur in people with a much wider variety of skin and hair colors.

Besides, a mole or moles also has a shape that resembles black spots. Moles usually appear from birth, although more people have them as they get older.

Freckles on the skin actually don't need further medical treatment if they are not dangerous. However, there is a possibility that something might happen in your body that could trigger skin cancer in the body part with this condition.

How are freckles treated?

Freckles are harmless and require no treatment. If you are feeling frustrated or insecure about skin spots and feel you need treatment, the following methods can help to get rid of the freckles effectively:

1. Laser procedure

Laser treatment uses high-power light and focuses on the areas of skin that are damaged. There are several types of laser procedures.

According to a 2015 study, the 1064 Q-Switched Nd YAG laser has been shown to be effective in treating freckles on the skin.

In general, laser treatment is very safe. The risk of injury or inflammation is low. However, there are some side effects that may arise, such as:

• Itchy rash
• Swollen
• Red skin
• Dry and flaking skin
• Infection
• Skin discoloration

If you have a history of cold sores, you may be asked to take antiviral medication before undergoing the laser procedure. This is because the laser light has the potential to activate the herpes virus around the mouth.

The medical team will prescribe creams or other drugs before the laser procedure is carried out. You may also be asked to stop some other types of medication.

2. Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy unnatural skin cells. This technique is also safe to do, although there are some side effects such as hypopigmentation, bleeding, and injury.

3. Cream whitening or fading

Fading or bleaching creams are available over the counter or by prescription. These fading creams mostly contain hydroquinone, an ingredient that can suppress melanin production and lightens dark areas of skin.

4. Retinoid cream

Retinoid cream is a variation of vitamin A. Its function is to repair sunburned skin and lighten freckles. Retinoids are believed to have a function photoprotection by absorbing B ultraviolet radiation.

Some of the side effects that may arise after stopping using retinoid creams are redness, dryness, irritation, peeling, and much more sensitivity.

5, Chemical peel

Chemical peel is a chemical solution used to exfoliate and exfoliate the affected part of the skin. To remove freckles, chemical peels will contain glycolic acid and trichloroacetic acid. In general, the skin will heal on its own within 2 weeks.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat freckles?

Apart from medication and medical treatment, you can also make simple lifestyle changes, treatments, or home remedies that you can try. Here's the explanation:

Wear diligently sunblock and sunscreen

Sunblock and sunscreen may not be able to get rid of existing dark spots. However, both can protect the skin and prevent new spots from appearing.

You'd better use sunscreen every time you go out of the house even though the weather is cloudy. Other than that, sunscreen the one you choose must have an SPF above 30.

Apply sunscreen on the skin 15 minutes before you go outside. Every 2 hours, repeat the application again. You should also use sunscreen after showering or sweating due to exercise.

2. Always wear protection such as glasses and a hat

To reduce the risk of sunburn, you can wear clothes that protect your body from excessive sun exposure. You can use sunglasses, a jacket, gloves, or a hat.

3. Reduce sun exposure at certain hours

As much as possible, avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The sun at these times is very dangerous and risks leaving sunburn.

If you do have to go outside, make sure you find a place to take shelter or cool off for a while, such as in a cafe.

4. Using household ingredients

You can also use household items to treat freckles. These include lemon juice, honey, and onions.

5. Lemon juice

Squeeze the water from the lemon, then use the juice on the skin. Apply directly with a cotton ball to the skin. When it's finished, you can rinse it off. Lemon water is believed to help lighten the skin.

6. Honey

You can also make it from honey. Combine honey with salt or sugar to create scrub. This scrub can help overcome hyperpigmentation problems on the skin.

7. Buttermilk

Apply it buttermilk directly on the skin. After leaving it for about 10 minutes, rinse with warm water. You can also make a mask from a mixture of oatmeal and buttermilk.

Buttermilk has lactic acid, which is believed to fight bacterial and viral infections.

8. Sour cream

Apply sour cream to the skin as needed, then wait a few minutes. Clean the remaining mask on the face using water.

9. Yogurt

Besides its delicious and refreshing taste, you can also use yogurt as a mask for the skin with freckles. Together with buttermilk and sour cream, yogurt is also rich in lactic acid.

10. Onions

Peel the onion, then rub the contents on the affected skin. After that, rinse with water. Onions are believed to help brighten and exfoliate the skin.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.