Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Have Rashes On Trunk, Neck And Legs. Turns Dark Black At Center. No Itching. What Could These Be?
Question: My husband had a "rash" that started about 2 weeks ago. No new changes in foods/detergents/exposures. Has had intentional weight loss of about 25lb in last few months. Rash on trunk and legs, up to neck.. little bumps in some areas, but much larger circular dark red areas that turn to a dark black center. No prior history of anything like this. They aren't scaly. Went to GP, and he is not certain what is. It is not itchy. There have been more of these dark red circular areas with black centers popping up. Referral to dermatologist.. may take months to get appt. in this area. Any ideas what we might be looking at?
Hi,
Thanks for writing to us.
From the images attached and description provided, I could think of two possibilities
Erythema multiforme( EM)
Fixed drug eruption(FDE)
EM occurs as small red bumps which enlarge to form central dark areas surrounded by a pale area which is finally limited by a red border. It is usually caused due to any viral infection or drug intake. Sometimes there is a preceding history of sore throat or flu like symptoms. These might involve mucosa like eye, genital area or oral cavity.
Fixed drug eruption occurs due to intake of any particular drug and is characterised by a red lesion with purplish centre.
Treatment in both the cases is application of steroid cream and a course of oral steroids.
I would advise that you XXXXXXX your dermatologist as early as possible to get the diagnosis confirmed and start the treatment.
In the meanwhile, you may apply steroid cream and calamine lotion to soothe the skin.
I would like to know, if there was history if any infection or drug intake prior to appearance of lesions.
Hope that answered your query.
Take care
Thanks for writing to us.
From the images attached and description provided, I could think of two possibilities
Erythema multiforme( EM)
Fixed drug eruption(FDE)
EM occurs as small red bumps which enlarge to form central dark areas surrounded by a pale area which is finally limited by a red border. It is usually caused due to any viral infection or drug intake. Sometimes there is a preceding history of sore throat or flu like symptoms. These might involve mucosa like eye, genital area or oral cavity.
Fixed drug eruption occurs due to intake of any particular drug and is characterised by a red lesion with purplish centre.
Treatment in both the cases is application of steroid cream and a course of oral steroids.
I would advise that you XXXXXXX your dermatologist as early as possible to get the diagnosis confirmed and start the treatment.
In the meanwhile, you may apply steroid cream and calamine lotion to soothe the skin.
I would like to know, if there was history if any infection or drug intake prior to appearance of lesions.
Hope that answered your query.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello and thank you for your reply. He hasn't started any new medications in the last couple years. His current med list includes Lovaza, lisinopril, atorvastatin (Lipitor), pantoprazole (Protonix), levocetirizine (Xyzal), Trilipix, a mulitivitamin, CoQ-10, and b-complex. Since he was already on the levocetirizine for allergies, he did try doubling up on that for a few days as if they were hives, but it didn't seem to improve. His physician did give him a rx for triamcinolone cream and has him washing in the shower with selenium sulfide shampoo. He has no hx of drug allergies, but does of course have seasonal. There was no recent cold or viral infxn. He thinks there haven't been any more popping up since application of the steroid cream, however.. I don't think they look an better so far (it's been 4 days since initial application).
Hi,
Thanks for writing back and accept my apologies for delayed response.
Firstly as these lesions are not allergic so doubling the dose of cetirizine would not help.
Erythema multiforme can occur without any obvious known preceding cause ie can be idiopathic.
EM or FDE both may require time to resolve with steroid creams. At least a two week time is required.
Selenium sulphide shampoo would not help in resolution of lesions and can be discontinued.
A dermatologist's visit is required for clinical examination of the lesion. A biopsy may be required to confirm the lesion. As there has been no preceding cause, one can also think of EM like pityriasis rosea lesions in your husband's case. These are self resolving lesions and need only calamine and steroid cream application. So as far as my clinical experience goes I would have thought of a skin biopsy with EM, FDE and EM like pityriasis rosea lesions as differentials.
Kindly get an appointment with your dermatologist and in the interim continue with steroid cream.
Hope that helped you. Should there be a further query, please write back. Once you visit your dermatologist, do let me know what was his opinion.
Regards
Thanks for writing back and accept my apologies for delayed response.
Firstly as these lesions are not allergic so doubling the dose of cetirizine would not help.
Erythema multiforme can occur without any obvious known preceding cause ie can be idiopathic.
EM or FDE both may require time to resolve with steroid creams. At least a two week time is required.
Selenium sulphide shampoo would not help in resolution of lesions and can be discontinued.
A dermatologist's visit is required for clinical examination of the lesion. A biopsy may be required to confirm the lesion. As there has been no preceding cause, one can also think of EM like pityriasis rosea lesions in your husband's case. These are self resolving lesions and need only calamine and steroid cream application. So as far as my clinical experience goes I would have thought of a skin biopsy with EM, FDE and EM like pityriasis rosea lesions as differentials.
Kindly get an appointment with your dermatologist and in the interim continue with steroid cream.
Hope that helped you. Should there be a further query, please write back. Once you visit your dermatologist, do let me know what was his opinion.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you will do. Still waiting for a call back on the appt. Waits can be 6 months in this area. We sincerely appreciate your time.
-XXXXX
-XXXXX
Hi XXXXXXX
If there is a delay in getting an appointment, continue with prescribed steroid cream and calamine lotion. However keep a check on development of new lesions. If the lesion do not seem to fade away in a week or two or if there is involvement of mucosa( eye, oral cavity, genitals) or if the lesions keep on increasing in number then in that case do insist for an urgent appointment.
Hope that helped.
Wishing your husband a speedy recovery.
If there is a delay in getting an appointment, continue with prescribed steroid cream and calamine lotion. However keep a check on development of new lesions. If the lesion do not seem to fade away in a week or two or if there is involvement of mucosa( eye, oral cavity, genitals) or if the lesions keep on increasing in number then in that case do insist for an urgent appointment.
Hope that helped.
Wishing your husband a speedy recovery.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
