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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Colored Mark on Forehead?? What could it be???
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
Colored Mark on Forehead?? What could it be???
by beekie, Aug 23, 2003 12:00AM
Hi, I have been meaning to get this checked for quite a while now. I am a light to medium skin toned 29 year old female that has been having this darker colored mark on the middle of my forehead for about 1-2 years now. It is about the size of a quarter and is smack in the middle of my forehead which is very cosmetically annoying. I was thinking it might be melasma that I heard about, so I stopped taking birth control pills now for the last 3 months. I took it before that for about 3 years, but am not currently on any meds of any kind.
The thing is that it comes and goes. I protect myself from the sun, but when I get alittle hot or am out in the sun, it appears or when I am tired as well I noticed. Those are the things that I know bring it out, but it is also there about 50% of the time. Also, the strange thing is that I think that it hurts once in a while and I am pretty sure it is not my imagination. Have you ever heard of this?
I thought it would go away if I stopped taking birth control pills, but it always seems to reappear. Also, one other thing, the melasma pics I have seen seem to be more pronounced or darker, this seems to be faint or under the skin? but noticeable because of location. and I do not have it anywhere else.
Thank you for any help you might lend, doc!
The thing is that it comes and goes. I protect myself from the sun, but when I get alittle hot or am out in the sun, it appears or when I am tired as well I noticed. Those are the things that I know bring it out, but it is also there about 50% of the time. Also, the strange thing is that I think that it hurts once in a while and I am pretty sure it is not my imagination. Have you ever heard of this?
I thought it would go away if I stopped taking birth control pills, but it always seems to reappear. Also, one other thing, the melasma pics I have seen seem to be more pronounced or darker, this seems to be faint or under the skin? but noticeable because of location. and I do not have it anywhere else.
Thank you for any help you might lend, doc!
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Aug 23, 2003 12:00AM
, Aug 23, 2003 12:00AM
Melasma is usually more widespread. You are too young to get an age or liver spot. I am a little puzzled by your description (such as "it is also there about 50% of the time.") Discolorations can come and go, but they don't do that 50% of the time.
Whatever this is certainly isn't cancerous or dangerous in that way.
I think you will need to consult a dermatologist in person about this. If the spot fluctuates as you say, you may want to take some good-quality photos to show the doctor in case it isn't there when you go.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Whatever this is certainly isn't cancerous or dangerous in that way.
I think you will need to consult a dermatologist in person about this. If the spot fluctuates as you say, you may want to take some good-quality photos to show the doctor in case it isn't there when you go.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (1)
by Mawilliams47, Mar 09, 2008 02:08PM
A related discussion, dark patches on my forehead was started.
