HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Does A White Patch In The Underarm Indicate?

default
Posted on Sat, 5 Apr 2014
Question: Hi, I have got some white patch on skin in my underarm (not sure whats the medical term) but this has been persistent since long time, recently I've seen its extending. I'm attaching the photo of how it looks like, would highly appreciate if you can suggest what it is and what precautions i should take. thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: details below Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing to us. I have seen the attached image, there could be three possibilities- vitiligo or post inflammatory hypopigmentation or naevi. Vitiligo or leucoderma is an autoimmune disease where there is complete loss of pigment cells. Post inflammatory hypopigmentation occurs after any preceding skin disease like fungal/ bacterial/viral infection, eczema etc. A naevi is a birth mark that occurs in a young age. Vitiligo and post inflammatory hypopigmentation can be differentiated by wood's lamp examination. Once the diagnosis is made, appropriate treatment can be started. More or less, treatment for both of these conditions is same, we usually prescribe a steroid cream and tacrolimus ointment in beginning. depending upon response, severity and extent of lesion other drugs like oral steroid/ azathioprine/psoralen etc can be added along with topical psoralen lotion/ decapeptide or growth factor based solutions. Had you been my patient, I would have prescribed mometasone cream once in a day and tacrolimus ointment 0.1% twice in a day atleast for a month. Depending on the response, i would either continued the medicines or added others too. My advise would be to meet a dermatologist nearby for proper consultation and management. Hope this helped. 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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Kalpana Pathak

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2014 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Does A White Patch In The Underarm Indicate?

Brief Answer: details below Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing to us. I have seen the attached image, there could be three possibilities- vitiligo or post inflammatory hypopigmentation or naevi. Vitiligo or leucoderma is an autoimmune disease where there is complete loss of pigment cells. Post inflammatory hypopigmentation occurs after any preceding skin disease like fungal/ bacterial/viral infection, eczema etc. A naevi is a birth mark that occurs in a young age. Vitiligo and post inflammatory hypopigmentation can be differentiated by wood's lamp examination. Once the diagnosis is made, appropriate treatment can be started. More or less, treatment for both of these conditions is same, we usually prescribe a steroid cream and tacrolimus ointment in beginning. depending upon response, severity and extent of lesion other drugs like oral steroid/ azathioprine/psoralen etc can be added along with topical psoralen lotion/ decapeptide or growth factor based solutions. Had you been my patient, I would have prescribed mometasone cream once in a day and tacrolimus ointment 0.1% twice in a day atleast for a month. Depending on the response, i would either continued the medicines or added others too. My advise would be to meet a dermatologist nearby for proper consultation and management. Hope this helped. Take care