Spots

[Jade]

Hi,

I was wondering if you could help me with some information.
I have in the last year, has spots appearing on my shoulders, which have now virtually spread over most of my back.

Almost all of the spots, are reddish in colour, and develop "heads" of some sort.  They vary in size from very big, to tiny.  Also my back now seems to be scarred, because I have so many.  Now I also have patches of dry skin on my back and upper arms varying in size from 1cm in diameter to 3-4cms.

I must admit, that being a typical male, I have not bothered going to see my GP, but now I am getiing a little worried.

Could you please tell me what this is? and perhaps suggest some treatments?

Thank you for your attention.

Kind Regards

Jade

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Jade:

Most likely, you are describing tinea versicolor, a harless (and not catchy) superficial fungus infection many young people get on their upper back and arms.  Try applying Selsun Blue shampoo and leaving it on overnight 7 days in a row before washing it off in the mornings.  If that doesn't work, get in touch with your feminie side and see a doctor, so you can find out the exact nature of what you've got, and get rid of it.

best.

dr. R

[[e-mail]]

For several months I had noticed something strange going on on my daughters back.  Sound like something Jade described very strange as if she had just gotten over chicken-pox or something.  First it was little dot like/or slightly larger circular shapes on her back.  I started noticing it awhile after she started PE class.  When they started to run track outside, being always concerned I always checked her for ticks, and that was one thought I had.  But no ticks to be found and now months later the strange shapes appear, sometimes almost go away then reappear.  Also sometimes can be found on the side of her face and neck area also.  It is the strangest thing I have ever seen in my life.  Furthemore, it has been very hard for me to look at because she is 13 years old and of course can keep me from looking at her now.  Regardless, I have been extremely concerned.  Hopefully, this tinea versicolor is what she has.  I will try some Selsun Blue for the 7 days and see if it works I hope so, because it is making her skin very unsightly.  She has never had a skin problem in her life, and this has been in development since Dec99.  Before this onset she developed little red splatches here and there on her cheeks and patches of bumps on her forehead.  She could wake up with her usual beautiful peachy skin coloring and go to school and return home with these rashes.  Honest to goodness I hope it is this tinea versicolor and not anything else drastic.  Is there anyone else who knows about this.  Also, we relocated to Japan in August of 1999, if this will help.  Any support on this, or info?