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Have Had Dark Spots On Upper Arm. Having Allergic Reaction And Sensitive To Touch. How To Treat This?
Question: For the last six to eight months I've had three dark spots, one on my upper left arm (quarter size), two smaller ones on my left shoulder (towards my neck-nickel size). During this time period I've had three allergic reactions in where the spots become warm and sensitive to the touch. It even becomes darker and it reddens around it. At the same time, the left corner of my lip becomes red and slightly swollen. What would cause such condition, and what would I need to do to treat this problem?
Hello,
Thanks at the outset for a very detailed description of your dermatological condition replete with photographs. It does make our work at this end much easier! I have gone through all the images.
From all accounts, it appears to be a skin reaction pattern - one of two entities spring to mind..either FDE (Fixed drug eruption) or a Herpes Simplex Eruption. The former is more likely given your description. Now, what you have to understand is the word 'drug' is used rather loosely in this context..more often than not, it encompasses food colouring agents, food additives etc in addition to the use of 'drugs' & the most commonly implicated are the pain-killers (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents) that one can acquire OTC (over the counter) & taken for viral fevers, aches & pains. Now that I have pointed you out in this direction, please take your time & recall foods, drugs etc that you may have ingested prior to these 'outbreaks' & here, please note that just because you have ingested the same product earlier, it does not mean that you cannot develop an allergy ..in fact, the opposite holds true more often.
As for the management, obviously, the only definitive one is to avoid the implicated/ suspected agent/agents (may be more than one)! Symptomatic relief may be achieved with the topical application of a steroid cream such as clobetasol & a systemically ingested non-sedative antihistamine for a 1-2 week period. Going back to my earlier observation, it may just be a viral agent like herpes & even a skin reaction pattern called erythema multiforme that again has a viral causative agent. This is largely speculative & only if the first option does not help you in which case, you may need to do some blood-work /tests to help establish a viral agent cause & take it from there.
I do hope this information helps.
Regards
Thanks at the outset for a very detailed description of your dermatological condition replete with photographs. It does make our work at this end much easier! I have gone through all the images.
From all accounts, it appears to be a skin reaction pattern - one of two entities spring to mind..either FDE (Fixed drug eruption) or a Herpes Simplex Eruption. The former is more likely given your description. Now, what you have to understand is the word 'drug' is used rather loosely in this context..more often than not, it encompasses food colouring agents, food additives etc in addition to the use of 'drugs' & the most commonly implicated are the pain-killers (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents) that one can acquire OTC (over the counter) & taken for viral fevers, aches & pains. Now that I have pointed you out in this direction, please take your time & recall foods, drugs etc that you may have ingested prior to these 'outbreaks' & here, please note that just because you have ingested the same product earlier, it does not mean that you cannot develop an allergy ..in fact, the opposite holds true more often.
As for the management, obviously, the only definitive one is to avoid the implicated/ suspected agent/agents (may be more than one)! Symptomatic relief may be achieved with the topical application of a steroid cream such as clobetasol & a systemically ingested non-sedative antihistamine for a 1-2 week period. Going back to my earlier observation, it may just be a viral agent like herpes & even a skin reaction pattern called erythema multiforme that again has a viral causative agent. This is largely speculative & only if the first option does not help you in which case, you may need to do some blood-work /tests to help establish a viral agent cause & take it from there.
I do hope this information helps.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Aparna Kohli
Answered by
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