Strange brown spot in groin

[kellysmum]

I am a 42 year old female, married and in a monogamous relationship.  Last week, I noticed a fairly round, brown dime-sized splotch of skin in my groin in the upper, inner thigh region.  It does not itch and does not appear to be scaly.  I also have had intermittent diarrhea for the past few months, although my gastroenterologist attributes this to irritable bowel syndrome.  I am on Metformin for being in a "pre-diabetes" state and take birth control pills for PCOS.  Finally, I have lost ten pounds in the last few months, although my doctor attributes this to the Metformin.

Could you please advise as to what this brown splotch could be?  I am wondering if it is some type of fungal infection (or something worse?)  Thank you.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It could be a fungus, though this is hardly a serious matter.  I suggest you try an over-the-counter antifungal cream like clotrimazole 1%.  If that doesn't clear it up in 2 weeks, let a skin doctor have a look.  Nothing to lose any sleep over, certainly.

Dr. Rockoff