Dark knuckles can be unsightly but are common occurrences. While dark knuckles don’t indicate any underlying medical condition, they are a cause of concern due to purely cosmetic reasons. It is simple to treat dark spots on the knuckles using simple home remedies and natural treatments.
What Causes Dark Spots On Knuckles?
There are certain common reasons that lead to dark spots on the knuckles,
- Repeated friction of the knuckles often leads to dark pigmentation.
- Dryness of the skin is another leading cause of formation of dark spots around the knuckles. Dryness of the skin can be attributed either of excessive washing of the hands, increased exposure to hot water or contact with toxic and harsh chemicals. Exposure to sunlight can also lead to dark spots on the knuckles.
- Occasionally, skin ailments including eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis can also lead to dark spots on the knuckles.
- Overweight individuals, using their knuckles as support for getting up are also more likely to have dark spots. This is typically associated with mechanical trauma to the skin of the knuckles.
- Finally, dark skinned individuals are more likely to develop dark knuckles on the skin compared to fair skinned people. This may be attributed to concentration of melanin around select areas of the skin, especially knuckles.
Natural Remedies To Get Rid Of Dark Spots On Knuckles
There are a host of simple and home based treatment options that can help deal with dark spots on the knuckles,
- Local application of freshly squeezed lime juice has a potent effect on dark spots. Lime juice contains ascorbic acid which acts as a natural bleach and helps remove dead skin and improve the overall pigmentation.
- Local application of butter milk is also beneficial. Butter milk has soothing effect on the skin and can help soften the skin. Softer skin is more likely to be lighter in color compared to thickened (or hyperkerotic) skin.
- Application of grated horse radish can also have a bleaching effect on the skin. Naturopaths suggest the use of basil juice with mustard oil to help in treatment of problems associated with skin pigmentation.
- Prepare a mixture of oatmeal with yoghurt and cucumber juice. Apply this mixture on the dark spots around the knuckles. The mixture should be left for about half an hour and then rinsed off with cold water. This helps improve the natural tone of the skin.
- Local application of sesame oil acts as a natural moisturizer for the skin. Sesame oil is loaded with fatty acids which not only helps nourish the skin but also aids in removal of dead cells and promotes the growth of newer skin cells.
- Increase the intake of Vitamin A and Vitamin C in your diet. Vitamin A helps improve the skin tone and texture, while Vitamin C protects the skin for infections and skin ailments.