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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Penis discoloration and spots on torso
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
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Penis discoloration and spots on torso
by tbilsten, Jan 11, 2006 12:00AM
Hi,
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. It's nice to have somewhere to go while waiting for a dermatologist to see you.
I'm 22 years old, caucasian, brown hair and greenish eyes. I have two brown spots on my torso, both near my rib cage on opposite sides. One is darker and larger than the other. They have been there since I was a young kid, but not from birth. They are about the size of pencil erasers (just slightly wider), with no clear edges. When I noticed them as a kid my mom just said "Oh those are sun spots, don't worry"-- and I never worried about them again.
A couple years ago I noticed the skin on the top shaft of my penis was slightly darker... but it looks like a birthmark-- not elevated, no agitation, etc. Well, gradually it seems to have gotten darker. (Still no agitation or problems.) And maybe larger. This discoloration is now roughly the size of my thumbnail- with no clear borders and no consistent color, just different shades of brown.
(From reading other comments in forums, most people seem to immediately think about STDs. This looks much more like a large freckle or birthmark and "STD" never even crossed my mind. I've been safe, clean, and tested too.)
Here's how I've gotten worried: I looked down recently at the darker spot on my torso and noticed a very small, circular light pink/red spot in the middle. It almost looks like a very tiny piece of skin was removed. On the border of this small circle the skin is much whiter, and then surrounding that is the same brown spot that's always been there.
When I looked at the other spot, I noticed the same thing is happening. I have no idea how long they've been like this, because you've really got to look to notice it. On both spots in the middle there is a small, pink, circular, not elevated (if anything it's de-elevated) SPOT with white borders that fade into the brown.
This has prompted me to be paranoid and inspect my entire body. I have two moles-- one on inner thigh and one on shoulder. They seem pretty much the same, but maybe a slightly red border around them, very hard to tell. They're sort of "shiny", but I'm only noticing because I'm looking so hard.
Last but not least the discoloration on my penis is darker. There are two "specks"- one on the lower part of the shaft and one on the head- that have appeared fairly recently. They look like dirt- and I try to rub them off. But then I realize they're like an abnormally shaped freckle and are there to stay.
No skin cancer history in my family that I know of. The only abnormal thing is a cousin who got Hodgins disease when he was 23. I spent a fair amount of time outside growing up in the midwest, but nothing bnormal. I don't surf & don't burn easily. My only sin is that I went to the tanning bed 2-3 times per month for the last couple years to keep my acne under control (now I stopped!). I started taking Adoxa 45 days ago. I'm very healthy, eat right, & exercise.
THANK YOU for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. It's nice to have somewhere to go while waiting for a dermatologist to see you.
I'm 22 years old, caucasian, brown hair and greenish eyes. I have two brown spots on my torso, both near my rib cage on opposite sides. One is darker and larger than the other. They have been there since I was a young kid, but not from birth. They are about the size of pencil erasers (just slightly wider), with no clear edges. When I noticed them as a kid my mom just said "Oh those are sun spots, don't worry"-- and I never worried about them again.
A couple years ago I noticed the skin on the top shaft of my penis was slightly darker... but it looks like a birthmark-- not elevated, no agitation, etc. Well, gradually it seems to have gotten darker. (Still no agitation or problems.) And maybe larger. This discoloration is now roughly the size of my thumbnail- with no clear borders and no consistent color, just different shades of brown.
(From reading other comments in forums, most people seem to immediately think about STDs. This looks much more like a large freckle or birthmark and "STD" never even crossed my mind. I've been safe, clean, and tested too.)
Here's how I've gotten worried: I looked down recently at the darker spot on my torso and noticed a very small, circular light pink/red spot in the middle. It almost looks like a very tiny piece of skin was removed. On the border of this small circle the skin is much whiter, and then surrounding that is the same brown spot that's always been there.
When I looked at the other spot, I noticed the same thing is happening. I have no idea how long they've been like this, because you've really got to look to notice it. On both spots in the middle there is a small, pink, circular, not elevated (if anything it's de-elevated) SPOT with white borders that fade into the brown.
This has prompted me to be paranoid and inspect my entire body. I have two moles-- one on inner thigh and one on shoulder. They seem pretty much the same, but maybe a slightly red border around them, very hard to tell. They're sort of "shiny", but I'm only noticing because I'm looking so hard.
Last but not least the discoloration on my penis is darker. There are two "specks"- one on the lower part of the shaft and one on the head- that have appeared fairly recently. They look like dirt- and I try to rub them off. But then I realize they're like an abnormally shaped freckle and are there to stay.
No skin cancer history in my family that I know of. The only abnormal thing is a cousin who got Hodgins disease when he was 23. I spent a fair amount of time outside growing up in the midwest, but nothing bnormal. I don't surf & don't burn easily. My only sin is that I went to the tanning bed 2-3 times per month for the last couple years to keep my acne under control (now I stopped!). I started taking Adoxa 45 days ago. I'm very healthy, eat right, & exercise.
THANK YOU for sharing your thoughts.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jan 13, 2006 12:00AM
, Jan 13, 2006 12:00AM
I think you're OK, just thinking about your spots too much and looking at them too hard, as you realize yourself. All spots are a little irregular in color or contour if examined very closely. Also, it's normal for new spots to appear throughout life and for existing ones to change a bit in color and size. The irregularities and changes you describe sound well within the range of normal to me, at least as much as I can tell from a distance. When you see the dermatologist, I'm confident you'll get a clean bill of health.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
