yellow spots

I am 51 yr white male. When rolling up my sleeves on way to work I discovered irregular small (2-4 mm) yellow spots on my forearms. I can see them in daylight but not office floursent lights. What might these be? I just returnd from a long trip in North America and was alone at home since returning yesterday. What do they mean? Are they attributable to nutritional deficiency or are they a symptom of infection/illness?

[Dr J Singh]

Hello,
The symptoms can be due to pityriasis alba or pityriasis versicolor. Pityriasis versicolor is caused by an overgrowth of a yeast fungus and are found mainly on sun exposed areas. Pityriasis alba is a common hypopigmented dermatitis. No treatment is required and the patches in time will settle in due course of time. The redness, scale and itch if present may be managed with simple emollients and sometimes hydrocortisone, a weak steroid, is also used.Severe cases may require PUVA therapy.

The treatment for pityriasis versicolor is antifungal drugs. Hence I suggest you to get it evaluated 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.