Long lasting red patches...

Okay, so over the last year I've had some bizarre skin problems. I'll list them here:

1. Red patches on soles of feet (one on each - much lesser on my left foot, however) that lasted for a few months and then disappeared. There may have been a mild itch and the skin seemed a bit thinner. Did not respond to creams (E45 or HC). Looked much like Tinea Nigra (except was pink, not dark, and very much: like this pic http://dermnetnz.org/fungal/tinea-nigra.html). The patch on my left foot tried to come back, but gave up and quickly disappeared. However! I live in a city in England and have not been to any tropical places.

2. I have been getting relatively small pink patches on my trunk, one or two at a time. One will last for a month or two and disappear before another one comes up in a different place. One rather large patch appeared on the side of my chest, disappeared and then reappeared later, albeit a slightly smaller size.  They do not itch, but occassionally do look slightly raised. No scaling. I cannot really find anything on the net that seems similar, except maybe a small case of parapsoriasis, which is uncommon.

I had eczema as a kid which has also slightly returned recently, but the problems above are different and do not follow any ezcema (eczema) patterns. I have been worried about HIV / Syph but have tested negative numerous times outside any window periods.

Anyone got any ideas, or had any similar problems? It all seems a little weird to me...

Thanks!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

It is hard to tell at this point what exactly causes these red patches that seem to resolve spontaneously and appear sporadically. A few differentials may be considered : nummular dermatitis, allergic or contact dermatitis, fungal infections, pityriasis rosea, psoriasi , a variant of SLE, and syphilis.

I know your condition worries you however, what I have posted are only differentials that you may read on and discuss with your dermatologist. I suggest you  consult with an internist  who may be able to request for further tests to exclude other underlying conditions.

[hughgrant]

Thanks for the reply.

Here's what I have discounted (based on my 0 years of medical training!)
1.Pityriasis Rosea - I have already had this 2 years ago. My current condition(s) seems very different to that.
2. Syphilis - Numerous negative tests, plus took enough enough Doxy over long enough periods a couple of years ago to kill off pretty much anything it is effective upon!
3. Psoriasis - no itching or scaling

Also, contact dermatitis - I was under the impression this resolved quite quickly, whereas this is long lasting. Also, there is no itching or scaling.

Thanks for the feedback. I am going to my GP next week, but here in the UK we get the usual "come back in a month" responses so I don't hold out much hope on getting a referral!

[hughgrant]

I also meant to say, I had a CBC, liver function test and check for diabetes a couple of months ago. Everything came back within the normal range.

[hughgrant]

Again cheers for the help. Going to a dermatologist this weekend so will hopefully have some kind of an answer soon...