Age spots

[cpeil2]

I have had a few age spots on my chest and shoulders for several years and never worried about them. Recently, the existing ones are getting larger, and I am getting new ones very rapidly. I notice a new one every few days. The surface of the age spots is also different from the surrounding skin, dry and flaky. I had a massive iliofemoral DVT about seven months ago, and I have been on anticoagulation therapy with warfarin because of that. Is there any connection between either the DVT or the warfarin and the sudden change in the age spots? Do I need to worry about this, or is it just what age spots do? I'm 51 yo, male and in excellent health with the exception of the DVT, and asthma, which is well-controlled with Serevent and beclomethasone.


Thanks very much.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I'm not sure.  There is some controversy in the dermatology community about whether the rapid onset of seborrheic keratoses (the spots I assume you're describing) means anything or not.  However, I'm not aware of any connection, even theoretical, with DVT (deep vein thrombosis.)

My advice is to consult a dermatologist for evaluation and perhaps biopsy if there's any ambiguity regarding diagnosis.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[cpeil2]

No, I'm talking about lentigine. Thanks for the information, though.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Lentigines are flat.  Seborrheic keratoses are lentigines with texture.  Either way, explosive or sudden onset raises a question.

Dr. Rockoff