Ever wondered what cause the ankles to turn dark when all your efforts to keep your feet shiny and smooth stay intact. Dark ankle may not be painful at all, but it looks displeasing and more so causes embarrassment while wearing a feet peeping and stylish footwear. We may have to worry when we are to open our footwear say around beach or in the pool, and we either keep away or wear aqua socks.
Causes of dark ankle:
There are ample causes of dark ankles but prominent one being the skin around ankle is dry and chips off too easily. Some such causes which lead up to black or dark ankles are:
- Wet or damp clothes or socks for too long
- Medical conditions and ailments which cause hormonal imbalance and dark skin patches
- Rocky mountain spotted fever which is a tick borne infection
- Venous stasis where veins which carry blood from our legs tend to darken and cause dark patches around ankles
- Ankle injury and sprains
- Continuous use of shoes which are mid rise or knee high
- Rubbing of the ankle area by sitting down on the floor most often
- Friction by using cloth on ankle or movement causing it
Home remedies to get rid of dark ankles:
There are ample home remedies which help in getting rid of dark ankles. All of these may not work adequately for all. But a few work great from person to person. Your kin type and weather also play an important role in determining the effect of all of these treatments. Some of the home remedies for treating dark ankles are:
1- Lemon juice:
Lemon is a natural astringent with amazing exfoliation properties. Its rich citric acid contents in addition to the properties like anti-oxidizing, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and healing help in providing the needed moisture to the skin and also removing the dead skin cells on feet. They also promote new cell regeneration. They also have natural bleaching and skin lightening properties.
Just apply lemon juice or rub lemon slices on the dark skin areas around ankle. And continue twice a day until it clears out.
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2- Aloe Vera Gel:
Aloe vera gel is most effective home remedy for dark ankle, it is a rich anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal and soothing agent. Mild exfoliation properties and hydration effects help in skin treatment. The dark skin and dead cells are removed and new cell regeneration is triggered effectively.
Just take fresh aloe vera eave sand cut them to half. Rub them on the affected area and leave for 15 minutes. Wash it away and repeat twice a day
3- Coconut oil steam:
Coconut oil is a miracle for skin and hair ailments. The amazing properties of anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial in addition to providing relief from dry skin helps in regeneration of new cells. Also it helps in skin lightening and toning. Apply coconut oil and put your feet in hot water for 15 minutes. Repeat twice a day
4- Milk and rice flour scrub:
Milk is rich in lactic acid which promotes new cell formation and dead skin removal. Rice flour gives the exfoliation properties. Milk also helps in skin lightening and evens it out. Just apply this paste on feet and ankles. Keep it for 30 minutes and rub it as scrubbing. Repeat once a day
5- Potato:
Potato is a natural bleaching agent for skin. Its rich carbohydrates and moisture helps in preventing dry skin patches. And the wonderful enzymes cure the dark skin pigments.
Just rub a potato slice on the affected area or apply grated potato and leave for half an hour. Now wash with lukewarm water. Repeat twice a day. Alternately apply cucumber too
6- Almond and honey mask:
Almond has some wonderful Vitamin E contents and help in skin lightening and healing the dry skin. Honey is a natural humectant which hydrates the skin. Just make a paste of almond and honey and apply at the affected ankle. Leave for 15 minutes. Now rub it and allow scrubbing to remove darker dead skin. Repeat twice a day
7- Baking soda:
Diluted baking soda is wonderful for skin pigmentation and blemishes. Just add water to a pinch of baking soda and soak your ankle and feet in it for 15 minutes. the acidic and anti-microbial properties heal the darker ankle and helps in regrowth of new cells.
8- Glycerin and rose water:
Glycerin and rose water combination is a great skin hydrating solution. It must be applied every night before heading to bed. Additionally you may put a few drops of lemon juice for more effectiveness
9- Apple cider vinegar and oatmeal:
ACV is a magic potion for all skin and health ailments. Its rich acidic properties help in maintaining skin pH level and also providing anti-microbial effects. Oatmeal powder helps in exfoliation. Just mix the two and put some drops of castor oil for enrichment. Now apply this mask on ankle and feet. leave for 15 minutes and rub it off. Repeat twice a week
Conclusion:
The above compilation on Home remedies for dark ankle is to help you cure the skin discoloration and nourish the sensitive and dry skin around ankle in utmost enriching ways.
Be sure to check with your dermatologist before taking up any of these for diagnosing the cause of the dark ankles. Do a patch test first for probable allergies if any
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Minu Mianisha
