Skin Discoloration

My skin color is a light shade of tan. I recently noticed that there is a spot on my cheek that is a shade or so darker. It wasnt there last summer or during the spring or winter. I dont know what it could be or how to treat it. Is there any way to get that spot back to normal?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

It sounds like 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.