Unusual Skin Discoloration

Hello,

I have a skin discoloration that, while not painful, does still bother me, and I have been unable to identify it. It showed up about a decade ago, when I noticed a dollar-coin sized bronze spot on my chest. The spot spread across most of my chest over the course of several years, and the affected skin is no different in texture than non-affected skin. Similar patches of discoloration have cropped up around my entire waist, inner thigh, side, neck and jaw. They have also slowly spread to surrounding areas over the course of years.

There is no itching, swelling, breaking or excess shedding of the bronze skin, and it slowly lightens and fades away in patches over months or years. Two gynecologists suggested using topical fungal creams, which I have done, and the creams have had no effect. A commercial skin whitener did temporarily clear the discolored skin, but I no longer use it. My grandmother and mother have also had the same skin condition, but neither were diagnosed.

Any help in figuring out what I may be dealing with would be appreciated it. Thank you for your assistance!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything with out examination but it can be pityriasis rosea. Pityriasis rosea is a common human skin disease which presents as numerous patches of pink or red oval rash. The rash may be accompanied by low-grade headache, fever, nausea and fatigue and sometimes by itching.

No treatment is usually required. In most patients, the condition lasts only a matter of weeks or months(upto six months)

If the rash persists then it will be best to get it evaluated from a dermatologist.Other possibilities have to be ruled out then.It can be due to tinea versicolor also.

I hope that helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries. Kind regards.