Bruise-Like Spot that Itches

[mshoffman]

Background:

Caucasian Male
32 yrs old
Healthy (I think)



For the past 8-10 months I've had a spot under my right chest that is about 1 inch in diameter and looks like a fading bruise.  I never gave it much attention but have noticed over the past week or so that it's itching on and off.  It may have itched before and I just didn't notice.  I've been putting moisturizing cream on it but it doesn't seem to do any good.  It doesn't itch all of the time, just sometimes, most notably when I'm trying to sleep.  It isn't raised and feels just like the skin next to it.

Any help is appreciated.

[Bruise_spots]

Has anyone had any results or diagnosis? I have the exact same thing and I keep getting more spots on my back, my front hip and now lower left hip. I had a dermatologist take a biopsy and results were normal. My family doctor said it was age spots, but I'm not sure about that! In Costa Rica I bought some cream with steroid+antibiotic+anti fungal and it seems to work, but you can't buy it here :(

[CelinaE]

Skin Lymphomas often present in the areas you’re describing. Biopsies often come back normal and take years to get a positive ID Avis biopsy. I’m having a biopsy soon myself of a similar patch

[Shanema]

Yeah I have something very similar except I have had it for a months and it has spread a lot. I started on my ribs but spread all the way to my hips an on my back. Had it checked by a dermatologist they took a biopsy I'll bring back any info they give me from the resultd

[bruiserbruiser]

I added a profile picture showing the bruise-like patch just above my stomach. The patch is very obvious because it is darker than the rest of my skin.

Thanks so much for any info!

[Celinaeve]

Did you ever find out what this is? I have the exact same thing!

[bruiserbruiser]

Hi, I have never found out what it was. Very strangely, no doctors or dermatologist knew what it is! It has been on the same position for the last 16-17 years, appears on and off with the same nagging faint itch when it appeared. No fungal cream/moisturizer/ointment etc worked.

Well the consolation is that it comes on and off. The itch is slight. The same 2inch patch hasn't grown in size at all and hasn't moved. The colour of the patch is still the same as it was when it first appeared years ago. Texture is just the same as the rest of my skin.

How strange!

[bruiserbruiser]

I have something very similar.

I have a bruise-like patch above my stomach for the last 10 years or so. It is an oval shape that measures about 2 inches by 1 inch. Looks more like a tan that is darker than the rest of my body. Sometimes it itches, most of the time it doesn't. The itch is not on the surface but seems to be just beneath the skin. It hasn't grown for the last 10 years and the intensity of the itch was what it used to be when it started. The bruise-like patch feels like the rest of my skin, just darker.

Can someone please advise? I have a picture, unfortunately I can't post it here.

[CelinaE]

I have the exact same thing in the exact same spot. I recently visited my mom’s dermatologist and I happened to show it to her. She said it looks like a skin lymphoma. I am currently following up with a dermatologist in my health network. Skin lymphoma are very very rare and often do not cause any problems, remaining the same for years or even decades. But they can also spread to lymph nodes or internal organs and cause lymphoma that is serious.
Mine isn’t confirmed to be that but after further research on my own it sounds the most likely. I’ll keep you posted

[CelinaE]

I have the exact same thing in the exact same spot. I recently visited my mom’s dermatologist and I happened to show it to her. She said it looks like a skin lymphoma. I am currently following up with a dermatologist in my health network. Skin lymphoma are very very rare and often do not cause any problems, remaining the same for years or even decades. But they can also spread to lymph nodes or internal organs and cause lymphoma that is serious.
Mine isn’t confirmed to be that but after further research on my own it sounds the most likely. I’ll keep you posted

[shykitte]

Did your bruise ever get better?  I have one on my thigh, same thing, only I've had it longer, like a couple of years.  I've actually been ignoring it, but its been itching occasionally of late.  I'm afraid its some sort of skin cancer so I'm going to check it out next week or so.....

[dterecieslar]

Hi.  I have a similar spot on my back I'm worried about.  I came online to look for answers.  I thought it might be cancer too.  If you find any information, please post it.  I'll do the same.

25 year old
Female

[mshoffman]

Thanks very much for the response.

It actually just looks like a really tan spot, not blue or purple.  It is more oblong, kind of like an oval.  It hasn't noticeably increased in size ever, and lately the itching is a little bit better.

Just want to set my mind at ease that this isn't something awful (like cancer)...

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

You have noted this patch of skin to be similar to a "fading bruise". I would assume then that this may be bluish or purplish in color. You have also noted some itchiness on the area and this has been chronic after having been present for the past 8 months. If this is the case, then we have to rule out a fungal infection or a hematoma here. Hematomas may be due to bleeding disorders. In your case however, this has been present for 8 months and you have not mentioned whether this has spread to other parts of the body or increased in size. Thus, a hematoma may not be likely here.

A fungal infection may be likely here. It has been present for 8 months already and itchiness is also noted. Applying 0.05% Fluocinonide cream and a topical antifungal over the area may be able to help. Do not apply the fluocinonide for more than one week. See if this responds to the medications in 3 days. If it worsens, have this assessed by your doctor. Apply only in affected areas and not on normal skin.

[mshoffman]

Any help on this is appreciated.