Brown Patches on Skin

Hi,

I’m a 25 year old Caucasian male.  About three weeks ago I noticed on the back of my left hand a large, oblong circular shaped reddish brown patch.  It is 2cm wide by 1cm long.  On that same hand there also appear to be two smaller patches of a lighter reddish brown more in the middle of my hand.  Almost has the appearance of a bruise.  

Then about a few days later I noticed on my right hand, several clusters of what look like freckles on my index, middle, and ring fingers.  They are the same color as the patch on my left, except these are not a single mark but are instead groups of mottled spots.  The freckles are only on the lower portion of the digits, where they meet the hand.  These are again, on the back of my hand.  At the same time I noticed these, I saw an odd shaped patch under my chin (about the size of a quarter), partially obscured by my beard growth.  This is again a reddish brown about the same color as the patches on my hands.

They do not itch and are not oozing or anything nor are they tender.  Recently, it appears some of the ‘freckles’ are becoming scaly… but that is only a few.  I have also observed that the discoloration is much more apparent after I have been in water or just gotten out of a warm shower.  Any thoughts?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Anything that big that comes on that fast is likely to be not a growth but an irritation, perhaps eczema of some sort.  Therefore, nothing to worry about.  I don't know what to make of the freckles.  I think you'll need to see a doctor in person for this one.  Meantime over-the-counter hydrocortisone would be best, applied twice a day.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff