Woke up with stains on my hands?HELP??

I woke up this morning with dark, iodine like stains on my right and left hands.  Primarily on my thumbs and index fingers and palms, but spattered on other areas around those fingers.  I had no pain or swelling, I was just confused.  After realizing I could not wash it off, I went to check if anything had spilt or stained the bed.  NOTHING!! Confused, I went  downstairs, where I found out my cousin had the exact same thing happen to him that same night.  My cousins stains were far more visible, and looked like he had been grabbing at or picking something up. Any help or diagnosis would be great - even a similar story. It's weird that more people have had the same thing and to known how it happened. I'm mot known to sleepwalk, neither is my cousin and the fact that we both had these markings makes no physical sense. Wondering what's up out there... get back to us!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the suddenness of appearance of these spots, it can be either due to an allergic reaction or phytophotodermatitis. Phytophotodermatitis is a chemical reaction which makes skin hypersensitive to ultraviolet light. To confirm the diagnosis I would suggest an evaluation from a dermatologist.

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.

[ocleon]

thanks for getting back to me.  Im still having trouble grasping how this all make sense.  As far as having phytophotodermatitis, I do not think it fits the bill.  I am of arab decent and never had a problem staying in the sun.  I really do  not think Im sensitive to ultraviolet light.  The same thing goes with allergies. Im not allergic to anything I know of, nor did I stray from my usual habits that day.  Im a healthy young man in most regards and so is my cousin.  Like I said the stained appear to be iodine like, maybe a little bit more purple. They eventually washed off in a couple days, but there was never any irritation, bumps, itching. Just these mysterious stains.  What could it possibly be? Thanks you!!

[Megabel]

I get these brown, iodine, henna like marks on both hands when I wake up. Can be once a week, or months apart. No allergies, no stains, marks on bedding. Have had it for yrs but been too embarrassed to tell. The oddest thing is the randomness & variety & intensity of colour in some areas. What on earth is it???????

[Nanner3]

Wow this is weird..i thought I was the only one with this problem. I have been using this stuff on my face for weeks and I rub it in with my fingers at night. I got the brown marks in the morning and it washes right off. I stopped using the stuff on my face and this problem still occurs monthly. If not weekly. Please help.