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Skin

I've had this for a long time and I'm concerned about it, but I don't have health insurance and cant afford to go see a dermatologist.

It started to appear in 2001 behind my neck. It itched alot! Then it vanished after a few years and now its on my leg. At first its very red (looks like a hickey), a little flaky or dry-looking, and it itches a bit. After a couple years, it starts to look like a bruise (darker in color) and it doesn't go away. Through out the years it gets a tiny bigger (it spreads). It gets lighter as years go by then when it spreads the ends become red again, then itches again. My skin feels fine; its smooth. It doesnt hurt or anything it just bothers me because it looks like a huge bruise! I showed it to a doctor and she said it looked like a bacterial fungus growing under the skin, and suggested that I go see a dermatologist.

What do you think it is and is there something that I could buy at a drug store to get rid of it?
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563773 tn?1374246539
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it can be due to eczema. Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.

For mild-moderate eczema a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide).

Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin.

If still the symptoms do not improve then pls get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist.Skin biopsy will help in confirming a diagnosis.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing and if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Apart from a fungus,neurodermatitis is also a differential diagnosis.In an older person a diabetic dermopathy too.Right now canesten HC would help.Consult your doc.
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