White splotches

i don't know what happened, but i realised about half an hour ago that i have white splotches which seem to have started from my hands, and spread to the top of my arms. There are no bumps, they are in the skin, but look as if  they are swelled up bits of skin. it is quite visible on the hands, and not so much on the upper bit of the arms, but i am really worried. this has never happened before.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to pityriasis versicolor or idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis. Selenium sulphide lotion can be applied for around 10-15 minutes, rinsed off and re-applied daily for about a week. It is less messy and preferably easy to use than the Selsun and Ketoconazole shampoos which needs to applied on the patches of affected skin after an evening bath, left to dry the whole night and washed off the next morning. For widespread or stubborn infections, itraconazole tablets have shown good results in curative aspects, but they are available under prescription and should be used under a doctor’s guidance.

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 doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.