White blotches on upper arms

I am a 20 year old female who has struggled with skin problems since birth. Shortly after I was born I was diagnosed with Atopic Dermatitis and Asthma. Now that I've gotten older, my atopic dermatitis has improved greatly. I hardly ever get rashes anymore.

A while back I noticed that after I would get a tan in the sun, my tan would peel and then I would get these white blotches. They were extremely embarrassing, but would fade and go away overtime. The last couple of summers I noticed that my tan was perfectly fine and even. Then randomly around last February or so I noticed the blotched come back. I had been using a tanning bed once a month since august because it helps my rashes stay away. Also, I started on a new birth control (Mirena) last October.

I have not tanned at all since February or have even been in the sun. The blotches are still there and I'm very self-conscious because Summer is approaching. I'm just curious if anyone knows what causes these blotches. Can it be from tanning, hormonal changed from birth control, stress, from my dermatitis, a combination of things, etc.? Also, I want to know if there are any ways to get rid of them.

Thanks!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
One possibility for these blotches on the arms can be tinea versicolor. Tinea versicolor is a fungal infection caused by commensal yeasts in hot and humid conditions. They may be reddish brown, slightly scaly patches or ugly, depigmented areas that will not tan, especially in suntanned skin.

Selenium sulphide lotion can be applied for around 10-15 minutes, rinsed off and re-applied daily for about a week. Severe cases may need oral antifungals. The patch will take a long time to disappear and the treatment does not equate with disappearance.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
One possibility for these blotches on the arms can be tinea versicolor. Tinea versicolor is a fungal infection caused by commensal yeasts in hot and humid conditions. They may be reddish brown, slightly scaly patches or ugly, depigmented areas that will not tan, especially in suntanned skin.

Selenium sulphide lotion can be applied for around 10-15 minutes, rinsed off and re-applied daily for about a week. Severe cases may need oral antifungals. The patch will take a long time to disappear and the treatment does not equate with disappearance.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[AllieGirl23]

Yes, that does help a lot! I actually had researched tinea versicolor before. Unfortunately I have to wait another 4 months to get health insurance benefits.


Here is a photo of my arm that looks the worst:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/UhOh23/IMG_20110426_170526.jpg