Dime sized(and smaller) dry patches on skin

[oonormanoo]

About a year ago I started to get small dry patches of skin no bigger than a pencil eraser and it would slowly get to be about as big as a dime sometimes as big as a nickel and then it'll go away. They do not itch and if you pick at them they flake off a tiny bit of dry skin. They usually are normal skin colour in the middle of the circle with a slight pink tint on the outside.

I have tried changing my diet, looking for bed bugs using more lotions, and on the spots i'll use vitamin D. Nothing has helped. They will go away for small periods of time but will always come back.

Recently they have started appearing on my husband.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/happypillanon/Y29udGVudDovL21lZGlhL2V4dGVybmFs-1.jpg
my husband

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/happypillanon/Y29udGVudDovL21lZGlhL2V4dGVybmFsL2l.jpg
the only spots I have on me at this moment (otherwise I wouldn't have taken this picture)

Any help would be appreciated. And no we have not gone to the doctor for it.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Sorry replied to an earlier question first. From the symptoms it can be due to insect bite or pityriasis rosea. Pityriasis rosea is a common human skin disease which presents as numerous patches of pink or red oval rash. The rash may be accompanied by low-grade headache, fever, nausea and fatigue and itching. Topical and oral steroids are needed. Water, sweat, and soap may cause irritation and should be avoided in the disease. Topical zinc oxide and calamine lotion are useful for pruritus.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to hives or thyroid disorder as thyroid diseases are often accompanied by itchy skin. It can also cause parasthesia which some people interpret as itching sensation inside the skin. Regarding the hives before periods. Ovulation and menstrual cycle are two such phenomenon which is associated with rapid hormone changes every month.

To stimulate ovulation, progesterone levels increase while estrogen levels decrease.These hormonal changes cause the body a great deal of stress and stress is one of the important factors thought to be causing hives.although urticaria usually is idiopathic,but stress is an important causative factor. Regular medications with antihistaminics and steroids during hives flare up has shown that in approximately 75% of patients, chronic hives are found to gradually or spontaneously diminish within 6-8 months. In 90-95% of cases, the symptoms disappear within 2 years.

So please consult a dermatologist and get prescribed antihistaminics. Also start the treatment of thyroid disease. I hope it helps. Take care and regards.