Brown spots after visiting Cabo San Lucas

Several friends and I recently visited Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and after returning, each person from the trip has small brown spots on various locations of his/her body - next to nipple, palm, side of torso, and lower back.  Also, the spots range in size from about a dime to 2 inches long by 1/2 inch wide.  I have read various posts on hyperpigmentation, but it seems far too coincidental that we all have the spots, especially since we range from very fair skin to Mediterranean.  Could it have been something like sea lice (juvenile jelly fish)? Has anyone experienced this?  What did your Derm say?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to tinea versicolor. Tinea versicolor is caused by a fungus that lives in the skin of almost all adults. Factors that can cause the fungus to become more visible include high humidity and immune or hormone abnormalities.Treatment involves topical and oral antifungal medicines.
Most cases of fungal infections respond to over-the-counter products, which contain any of several basic ingredients: miconazole, tolnaftate, terbinafine,ketaconazole and clotrimazole.You can consult a pharmacist and get any cream or lotion containing these ingredients. Some of them are Lamisil, Monistat derm, Mycelex, and Nizoral.
Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.

[girl532002]

I also just returned from Cabo at the beginning of August 2009 and have the what sounds like the same type of skin discoloration on my leg. It started out looking at what seemed to be a bruise, and now they are dark "boomerag" shaped brown spots. It's been about 2 wks and I've decided to go see a dermatologist. I will post my results after I find out what they say.  These are not itchy or sore, but they have started peeling. Strange, and now i'm getting concerned!

[Jennbaz]

Can you please let me know your results? My husband and I also have these after a recent trip to Cabo. We thought they were bruises from boogie boards but have not gone away. Mine is on hip and my husband has 3-4 on his back. Thanks!

[mdatlow]

They went away after 2-3 months, without any further symptoms.

[gigi3004]

i have also just returned from riviera maya in mexico a week ago and have also noticed discoloration on my both upper arms. it looks like brown spots. my left upper arm disoloration looks just like finger prints.
i'm in barcelona right now and have met a friend that was vacationing in cancun a month ago and had the same disoloration. i am really concerned and i am thinking of visiting the dermatologist. but i just read on line that it might be from the limes.

the condition is called Phytophotodermatitis. There’s a substance in the juice and rind of limes that reacts with sunlight and is toxic to skin cells. If you ate or drank anything with limes (such as margaritas), then went out in the sun, your skin could develop a red rash that would turn dark wherever the lime touched your skin. On your next tropical trip, be sure to wash your hands and wipe your mouth after any contact with limes. The good news is that phytophotodermatitis usually fades without scarring, so try to be patient.

[Sangers4u]

What was the out come from the dermatoligist? I just got back a few weeks ago and have this on my arm, chest, leg.

Thanks,
Mark