Skin decoloration

Since March 09 I started noticing my face having some patches which have lighter color than my complexion. I have patches on my cheek and just above my eye brows. It itches some times but a little more often when I am out in the sun or its too hot. I had stopped using sunscreen separately. The moisturizer had some SPF. But since a month now I am putting only sunscreen and nothing else on my face.
Do sunscreen creams have any expiry too?

Thanks & regards
Naheed

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to 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. Sunscreens also have an expiry date and it is recommended not to use sunscreens after the expiry date.

If the symptoms persist then please consult a dermatologist.

I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.