Wanted To Know Whether Discoloration On My Shoulder Is Something Related To The Medicine And If There Is A Cause Of Concern If This Continues?

Posted on Mon, 13 Jan 2025

Question: Hi doctor,

I had consulted you last week about my DVT history and the causes. As mentioned, I recently changed my medicine from Acitrom 4 mg daily to Rivaban 15mg-0-15mg (this i have to do for one month and then make it 20mg-0-0 as per the prescription. It has been 11 days since i started Rivaban (after stopping Acitrom for 5 days as per doctor's advice). Two days back my wife noticed a discoloration on my shoulder - please see the photos. The discoloration is on my right shoulder. Last week my wife had noticed a similar discoloration behind the back of my neck, which is now gone. Wanted to know whehter this is something related to the medicine and if there is a cause of concern if this continues.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (27 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Kindly, upload the images of discoloration on shoulder.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I am afraid that the images have not been uploaded.
Kindly, upload the images of discoloration seen on shoulder.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (1 hour later)

Pictures have been uploaded. As mentioned, the red discoloration just below my throat area is something I have XXXXXXX having for many years, before changing the medicines. Not sure why, but it is not the color I am talking about. The color I am talking about is on the shoulder - kind of blackish lines...

If you also would be able to let me know about the red color below my throat, that would also be helpful althouhg my main concern is about my shoulder.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Both discoloration are rashes & unlikely to be associated with medication.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
I have gone through the images of the discoloration below the throat and on shoulders.
The discoloration below throat seems to be a rash probably due to vasculitis.
The bluish-black discoloration on shoulder can be associated with the rash below the throat.
However, both the rashes do not seem to be due to medication.
I suggest you to consult a dermatologist for clinical assessment, diagnosis and thus management.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Dr. Yogesh D