Loss of pigment from steroid cream

[PoresBadSkin]

Hi, I used a corticosteroid cream I was prescribed for a fungal infection under the arms. This led to the skin in the area going slightly white in parts. It's now been a year and a half since I  used the cream and the pigmentation still hasn't returned. Is there anything that can be done? Thanks

[PoresBadSkin]

Hi, Dr Kaur, thanks so much for your response. I used to steroids for a few weeks, maximum couple of months, I can't quite remember. The pigment loss is not something I think my family doctor will consider to be very serious, as it's more of a general lightening (with a slightly darker patch which looks a bit inflamed) but it's made the veins/blood vesssels under my skin very visible (the same thing happened on the side of my breast where I also used the cream) which makes the whole area look quite greenish which I'm self conscious of.. I will see if exposing it to the sun will help, though it's not a part of the body that is very easy to expose to the sun when you're outside. Do you think even a self tan might help to get the melanin working again?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
What you have had is post inflammatory hypopigmentation which is a frequent side effect of topical steroids. Usually it is reversible but if steroids have been used for a long period of time, then it can be irreversible also. Sometimes it goes away on its own after exposure to the sun.

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.