White spots on skin??

[oth_smj]

I've noticed that I have little small white spots on my upper back and a few on my shoulders. They've been there for a while, but I think that I have more than before and that one may have gotten bigger. I was wondering what this was and thought that maybe it was Tinea Versicolor?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to tinea versicolor. Tinea versicolor is caused by a fungus that lives in the skin of almost all adults. Factors that can cause the fungus to become more visible include high humidity and immune or hormone abnormalities. Treatment involves topical and oral antifungal medicines. Most cases of fungal infections respond to over-the-counter products, which contain any of several basic ingredients: miconazole, tolnaftate, terbinafine, ketaconazole and clotrimazole. You can consult a pharmacist and get any cream or lotion containing these ingredients. Some of them are Lamisil, Monistat derm, Mycelex, and Nizoral.
If the symptoms persist then please consult a dermatologist.

I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[oth_smj]

Okay, but can it exist in teens? I'm not an adult so I don't know...but it does look like a very mild case of tinea versicolor.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Tinea versicolor is most common in persons aged 15-24 years, when the sebaceous glands are more active. In warmer hot countries, it is common in age group of 10-19 years. Hope it helps. Take care and regards.