What Causes Red Spots On Cheeks Post Usage Of Melacare Cream?

Posted on Mon, 4 Apr 2016

Question: Doctor,I am from Nagaland , 3 years back I applied melacare cream on both the cheeks for a very negligible spot and for some freckles just once and the next thing it turned red and the following day it became dark. Since then it has become a permanent mark on the face it tends to get dark after exposure to the sun inspite of applying sunscreen.its like melasma that's what the dermatologist says here.kindly suggest a good cream to get rid of this dark spots.doctor,how is meladerm
cream by civant skin care U.S.A?is it safe?
The melacare cream which I applied contains 2%hydroquinone which I later learned is bad I have dry skin and am 45yrs old female.

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Melasma most probably

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to HCM..

I read history and saw photo you posted. It seems that most probably you are having Melasma. It is a chronic skin disease characterised by symmetrical, black brown patches on cheeks and forehead. Exact cause is not known. But, pregnancy, sun exposure,contraceptive pills,cosmetics,hypothyroidism..etc may be triggering factors.

Never use hydroquinone containing cream,as it is a toxic chemical, it may cause irritant dermatitis,exogenous ochronosis and confetti like depigmentation.

I would suggest...

- kojic acid containing gel to rub twice a day on the affected parts
- sun screen gel to apply on sun exposed areas
- face wash containing glycolic acid and kojic acid may be used
- glutathiomin tablets
- tranexamic acid tablets
- vitamin C tablets
- avoidance of triggers
- nutritious food
- good sleep
- keep away from stress

Have patience for the good result. Take treatment under dermatologist's observation.

I hope this would help. If any other query you are welcome.

Thanks.

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak

Follow up: Dr. Ilyas Patel (25 minutes later)

Actually before the application of the melacare cream i didnt have any dark patch it was right after the cream use that it tirned red snd dark the next day.doctor,can you provide the name of the cream or gel?one dermatologist prescribed melano tx-cream..is this good and safe ?

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Post inflammatory hypermelanosis most probably

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome back..

I can understand your concern for melanosis on the face. You may be right... Hydroquinone may be responsible for your black patches. It would have caused irritant contact dermatitis initially and followed by black pigmentation. Exogenous ochronosis is the side effect of hydroquinone which occurs after continuous application of hydroquinone cream for few months. So, it is definite that in your case it is not exogenous ochronosis. It may be post inflammatory hypermelanosis.

So,treatment may be depigmentary cream containing kojic acid, vitamin C, arbutin..etc like niltan cream along with sun protection with sun screening gel like sunmask aqua gel.

And as I suggested in previous post, you may take oral treatment also to enhance the improvement.

I hope this would be satisfactory answer.

Thanks.

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Ilyas Patel (14 hours later)

Doctor, Thanks for the answer i agree with you.Can you kindly prescribe good and safe cream for my problem and also the medications to be taken orally.
Thank you

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the satisfaction.

In my first post, I have mentioned about oral drugs and in second post, I mentioned applications. Kindly go through the posts again. You may have those prescribed by a local doctor.

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

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. Prasad