
I Am A 22 Year Old Male In Good Health.

Question: I am a 22 year old male in good health. I have had small black dots on my left leg for several years. They are completely flat, and do not ever scab or hurt.

I am a 22 year old male in good health. I have had small black dots on my left leg for several years. They are completely flat, and do not ever scab or hurt.
Brief Answer:
Kindly upload clearer images
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have gone through your query and noted your concern.
I can make out some vaguely blue to black spots. They could be lentigines which are flat, physiological and sun induced or they could perhaps be traumatic tattoo from a previous injury- flat, blue to black spots at site of trauma due to impregnation of a foreign body like sand/ silica etc..Is there any history of trauma at this site? Unfortunately the images are not very clear. They are a bit out of focus. I request you to kindly upload a few more good quality images of the affected area so that I am able to have a better look.
Hope to assist you further with your query.
Kindly upload clearer images
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have gone through your query and noted your concern.
I can make out some vaguely blue to black spots. They could be lentigines which are flat, physiological and sun induced or they could perhaps be traumatic tattoo from a previous injury- flat, blue to black spots at site of trauma due to impregnation of a foreign body like sand/ silica etc..Is there any history of trauma at this site? Unfortunately the images are not very clear. They are a bit out of focus. I request you to kindly upload a few more good quality images of the affected area so that I am able to have a better look.
Hope to assist you further with your query.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Brief Answer:
Kindly upload clearer images
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have gone through your query and noted your concern.
I can make out some vaguely blue to black spots. They could be lentigines which are flat, physiological and sun induced or they could perhaps be traumatic tattoo from a previous injury- flat, blue to black spots at site of trauma due to impregnation of a foreign body like sand/ silica etc..Is there any history of trauma at this site? Unfortunately the images are not very clear. They are a bit out of focus. I request you to kindly upload a few more good quality images of the affected area so that I am able to have a better look.
Hope to assist you further with your query.
Kindly upload clearer images
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have gone through your query and noted your concern.
I can make out some vaguely blue to black spots. They could be lentigines which are flat, physiological and sun induced or they could perhaps be traumatic tattoo from a previous injury- flat, blue to black spots at site of trauma due to impregnation of a foreign body like sand/ silica etc..Is there any history of trauma at this site? Unfortunately the images are not very clear. They are a bit out of focus. I request you to kindly upload a few more good quality images of the affected area so that I am able to have a better look.
Hope to assist you further with your query.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj


I can say with almost one hundred percent certainty there has been no trauma to the area.

I can say with almost one hundred percent certainty there has been no trauma to the area.
Brief Answer:
Pigmented purpuric dermatosis- Schamburgs purpura
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Most likely they are hemosiderin deposits from leaked blood through the capillaries I.e Schamburgs pupura- a type of pigmented purpuric dermatosis. It is mostly a cosmetic concern, asymptomatic, flat, may increase or resolve on it's own. However, in most instances it persists as it is for a very long time.
Take care
Pigmented purpuric dermatosis- Schamburgs purpura
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Most likely they are hemosiderin deposits from leaked blood through the capillaries I.e Schamburgs pupura- a type of pigmented purpuric dermatosis. It is mostly a cosmetic concern, asymptomatic, flat, may increase or resolve on it's own. However, in most instances it persists as it is for a very long time.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana

Brief Answer:
Pigmented purpuric dermatosis- Schamburgs purpura
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Most likely they are hemosiderin deposits from leaked blood through the capillaries I.e Schamburgs pupura- a type of pigmented purpuric dermatosis. It is mostly a cosmetic concern, asymptomatic, flat, may increase or resolve on it's own. However, in most instances it persists as it is for a very long time.
Take care
Pigmented purpuric dermatosis- Schamburgs purpura
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Most likely they are hemosiderin deposits from leaked blood through the capillaries I.e Schamburgs pupura- a type of pigmented purpuric dermatosis. It is mostly a cosmetic concern, asymptomatic, flat, may increase or resolve on it's own. However, in most instances it persists as it is for a very long time.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana


What causes this and what can be done to help the appearance of it?

What causes this and what can be done to help the appearance of it?
Brief Answer:
Schamburgs purpura
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
It is idiopathic. It is benign and mostly stays the same. In some it may resolve spontaneously or may slowly progress to form more such spots.You may try use a moderately potent topical steroid e.g either mometasone furoate cream or triamcinolone acetonide cream, twice daily for a few weeks to see if it improves..
Take care
Schamburgs purpura
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
It is idiopathic. It is benign and mostly stays the same. In some it may resolve spontaneously or may slowly progress to form more such spots.You may try use a moderately potent topical steroid e.g either mometasone furoate cream or triamcinolone acetonide cream, twice daily for a few weeks to see if it improves..
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T

Brief Answer:
Schamburgs purpura
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
It is idiopathic. It is benign and mostly stays the same. In some it may resolve spontaneously or may slowly progress to form more such spots.You may try use a moderately potent topical steroid e.g either mometasone furoate cream or triamcinolone acetonide cream, twice daily for a few weeks to see if it improves..
Take care
Schamburgs purpura
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
It is idiopathic. It is benign and mostly stays the same. In some it may resolve spontaneously or may slowly progress to form more such spots.You may try use a moderately potent topical steroid e.g either mometasone furoate cream or triamcinolone acetonide cream, twice daily for a few weeks to see if it improves..
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T


I would definitely like to try one of the above medications/prescriptions. Can you subscribe that for me? I can provide a pharmacy and their location and phone number.

I would definitely like to try one of the above medications/prescriptions. Can you subscribe that for me? I can provide a pharmacy and their location and phone number.
Brief Answer:
Purpuric spots- try topical steroid cream
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
You need to talk to your local practitioner/ general physician for a prescription regarding the same. An overseas medical practitioner cannot prescribe.
Take care
Purpuric spots- try topical steroid cream
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
You need to talk to your local practitioner/ general physician for a prescription regarding the same. An overseas medical practitioner cannot prescribe.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Brief Answer:
Purpuric spots- try topical steroid cream
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
You need to talk to your local practitioner/ general physician for a prescription regarding the same. An overseas medical practitioner cannot prescribe.
Take care
Purpuric spots- try topical steroid cream
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
You need to talk to your local practitioner/ general physician for a prescription regarding the same. An overseas medical practitioner cannot prescribe.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar


Of those two, which do you recommend? Have you seen a successful outcome/improvement with this condition before?

Of those two, which do you recommend? Have you seen a successful outcome/improvement with this condition before?
Brief Answer:
Regarding Schamburgs purpura
Detailed Answer:
hi.
Many patients of Schamburgs purpura improve but some don't at all. I prefer mometasone furoate 0.1% cream, twice daily for 3-4 weeks to gauge whether they would respond to it or not.
Take care
Regarding Schamburgs purpura
Detailed Answer:
hi.
Many patients of Schamburgs purpura improve but some don't at all. I prefer mometasone furoate 0.1% cream, twice daily for 3-4 weeks to gauge whether they would respond to it or not.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D

Brief Answer:
Regarding Schamburgs purpura
Detailed Answer:
hi.
Many patients of Schamburgs purpura improve but some don't at all. I prefer mometasone furoate 0.1% cream, twice daily for 3-4 weeks to gauge whether they would respond to it or not.
Take care
Regarding Schamburgs purpura
Detailed Answer:
hi.
Many patients of Schamburgs purpura improve but some don't at all. I prefer mometasone furoate 0.1% cream, twice daily for 3-4 weeks to gauge whether they would respond to it or not.
Take care
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. Yogesh D

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