crazy looking pigment on leg??

[crandolph]

Went to Hawaii on honeymoon. I have noticed a weird dark ivy looking spots that starts on my hip and seems to only be noticable when I am in the sun. In the winter you can hardly see it. It also seems to be going further down my leg every year. It has been 3 years and it started at my hip and now it is all the way to the back of my knee.  It looks like ivy. what could this be????

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination confirmation of a diagnosis is tough,but it can be due to pityriasis versicolor. It is a common skin infection caused by the yeast Malassezia furfur. This skin disease commonly affects adolescents and young adults, especially in warm and humid climates. 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.

Hope it helps. Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or in case you have additional queries. Kind regards.

[jagesh50]

May be lichen striatus which goes linear fashion along a line.More common in children,but may occur in adults too.Not serious,consult your doc.