Small scaly brown spot at base of spine

[dlj5875]

I have a small scaley patch of skin at the bottom of my spine right above my buttocks.  It is shaped a little like a hear and is a bit darker than my other skin.  The scaling comes and goes.  It does not itch nor does it hurt.  In fact I would have not know it was there is I hadn't felt it.  It this something I should be concerned about or will it go away on its on and should I be putting cream on it or just leave it alone.  

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

For dry skin patches, it is recommended to:

- use mild, moisturizing soap or shower cream;
- use gentle towel just to pick up excess of water, not to dry it completely;
- then, apply a moisturizing cream (ideally hypoallergenic, fragrance-free), and repeat application several times throughout days of exacerbation, and 1-2 times per day after active lesions subside.  

[dlj5875]

Is there a particular cream or treatment I should be using?  

Thank you.

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

Thank you for providing more details about your skin lesion and overall health. I support your healthy lifestyle!

Acquired, solitary hyperpigmented (tan colored in your case) macule (patch) with intermittent dryness (subsides when treated with moisturizers) sounds benign and is most likely a presentation of: chronic eczematous patch, or seborrhoic keratosis, or lentigo.  

However, when there is a pigmented lesion, we dermatologists always want to rule out melanoma. In your case actinic keratosis (precancerous lesion) should be ruled out too.


Stay well!

Dr. Jasmina Jankicevic

[dlj5875]

It is no bigger than a quarter if that big, it is not elevated, the scaling just comes and goes.  If I put some type of moisturizer on it, it doesn't scale at all.  The color is sort of tan, just a shade darker than my skin.  I guess is has come and gone for about 6 weeks now.  I am 56 years old and in good health, non-smoker, not overweight, etc. Like I said, it doesn't itch, burn, or hurt in anyway.  It is kind of in heart shaped.  

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

If possible, please provide more specific description of caracteristics of your skin lesion: dimensions, shape, color (more yellow, or brown or red hue), is it above skin surface or not, are borders elevated, what is the texture of this skin change, when does scaling go, for how long you have had it, how old are you, etc.


Yours in Optimal Helath,
Dr. Jasmina Jankicevic