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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Red Spots
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.
Red Spots
by skylar810, Jan 26, 2007 12:00AM
Hi,
I'm hoping you can help me. In the fall of 2005 I developed a red spot on the top of my upper thigh about the size of a quarter. It wasn't a rash and it didn't itch or hurt. It started out flat and was perfectly round with no bumps. Over the next few months it proceeded to get larger and I developed other smaller ones around the same area. The original one was now the size of a half dollar still round and the smaller ones the size of dimes to nickles. Now for the confusing part, the spots went away when I layed down. Every morning I would think they were gone and by the time I got in the shower they would develop again! They got to the point where they were slightly raised and almost purple when I stood but still no discomfort. They started to come up on my other thigh when I went to my family doctor. He couldn't figure it out and sent me to a dermatologist assuming he would do a biopsy. When I went he didn't seem concerned and found that they turned white when he pushed on them. He declined to do a biopsy and sent me home. With no diagnosis my family doctor wanted me to see another dermatologist but by the time I got an appointment the spots had disappeared. In all I had them for about three to four months. I kind of put it out of my mind but have now developed one on the inside of my right wrist by my pulse point. It is exactly the same, perfectly round (definately not a rash) and about the size of a dime and getting larger. It disappears when I lay down and reappears with standing and becomes slightly raised and almost purple with activity. My medical history includes an Atrial Septal Defect (small) and a Capillary Telangiectasia on the brain stem. Could this be a sign of a more serious condition? I don't have access to a large medical facility and really don't want to return to the dermatologist I first saw. If you could provide any information I would really appreciate it.
Thanks.
I'm hoping you can help me. In the fall of 2005 I developed a red spot on the top of my upper thigh about the size of a quarter. It wasn't a rash and it didn't itch or hurt. It started out flat and was perfectly round with no bumps. Over the next few months it proceeded to get larger and I developed other smaller ones around the same area. The original one was now the size of a half dollar still round and the smaller ones the size of dimes to nickles. Now for the confusing part, the spots went away when I layed down. Every morning I would think they were gone and by the time I got in the shower they would develop again! They got to the point where they were slightly raised and almost purple when I stood but still no discomfort. They started to come up on my other thigh when I went to my family doctor. He couldn't figure it out and sent me to a dermatologist assuming he would do a biopsy. When I went he didn't seem concerned and found that they turned white when he pushed on them. He declined to do a biopsy and sent me home. With no diagnosis my family doctor wanted me to see another dermatologist but by the time I got an appointment the spots had disappeared. In all I had them for about three to four months. I kind of put it out of my mind but have now developed one on the inside of my right wrist by my pulse point. It is exactly the same, perfectly round (definately not a rash) and about the size of a dime and getting larger. It disappears when I lay down and reappears with standing and becomes slightly raised and almost purple with activity. My medical history includes an Atrial Septal Defect (small) and a Capillary Telangiectasia on the brain stem. Could this be a sign of a more serious condition? I don't have access to a large medical facility and really don't want to return to the dermatologist I first saw. If you could provide any information I would really appreciate it.
Thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jan 28, 2007 12:00AM
, Jan 28, 2007 12:00AM
I'm afraid I can't say very much, other than that this doesn't sound in any way serious or related to an internal condition. When things blanch completely when you press on them, a biopsy usually shows nothing that helps you make a specific diagnosis, which is why the first dermatologist decided not to do a biopsy.
The one question I would have is whether these spost correlate with a medication you're taking. An allergic reaction can rarely look like what you describe. However--and this is crucial--it would have to be a drug you took when you had the spots the first time, then stopped, then started again recently. Something you've been taking all along wouldn't do this. This is a long shot, but worth asking about.
If these spots persist and you want more complete reassurance, I guess you'll have to see a dermatologist and ask for a biopsy for peace of mind. Taking photos when the spots are bright may help, since they may not be when you get there. But again, I can't think of serious conditions these remind me of.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
The one question I would have is whether these spost correlate with a medication you're taking. An allergic reaction can rarely look like what you describe. However--and this is crucial--it would have to be a drug you took when you had the spots the first time, then stopped, then started again recently. Something you've been taking all along wouldn't do this. This is a long shot, but worth asking about.
If these spots persist and you want more complete reassurance, I guess you'll have to see a dermatologist and ask for a biopsy for peace of mind. Taking photos when the spots are bright may help, since they may not be when you get there. But again, I can't think of serious conditions these remind me of.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (1)
by LC15, Oct 07, 2008 03:44PM
A related discussion, I have a red round spot by upper thigh. was started.
