Brief Answer:
A fungal infection can cause hairless areas- local treatment explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,

I carefully read your query and also checked the uploaded image.

A common cause of skin changes with patches of lost hair can be caused by a fungal infection.
I would encourage you to use local treatment with miconazole or clotrimazole on the skin area that has the small lumps and is devoid of hair. You can apply the cream on the area and 2 cm further than the margin, twice a day for 2 weeks. Sometimes, local treatment is not sufficient and oral antifungal tablets may be needed.

If you notice no improvement or if you notice any worsening, you will need to see your doctor. A thorough examination is important in this case and if needed, the doctor may order tests and examinations to definitely determine the cause and further treatment.

I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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Brief Answer:
A fungal infection can cause hairless areas- local treatment explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,

I carefully read your query and also checked the uploaded image.

A common cause of skin changes with patches of lost hair can be caused by a fungal infection.
I would encourage you to use local treatment with miconazole or clotrimazole on the skin area that has the small lumps and is devoid of hair. You can apply the cream on the area and 2 cm further than the margin, twice a day for 2 weeks. Sometimes, local treatment is not sufficient and oral antifungal tablets may be needed.

If you notice no improvement or if you notice any worsening, you will need to see your doctor. A thorough examination is important in this case and if needed, the doctor may order tests and examinations to definitely determine the cause and further treatment.

I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

---

Brief Answer:
At the moment I see nothing worrisome

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,

At the moment I see nothing serious or worrisome on the lesion. It is very likely it is a fungal infection (yeast infection) of the skin. This is very common and most of the time it heals spontaneously and in some cases may continue to grow if not treated.

There are cases though that some help is needed with the antifungal creams. You can ask in the pharmacy for over the counter antifungal creams. Creams for athlete's foot (over the counter) contain an antifungal and can be used in this case as well. Over the counter means that you do not need a doctor's prescription to access the medication.

I would not recommend you to ignore it. Firstly, because it may grow or spread to other areas of the body (even though it is not dangerous). And lastly, treating it will help with the diagnosis. If the rash goes away with the cream then we are completely sure this was a fungal infection. If not, then you will need to see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis.

To conclude:
- the lesion seems like a fungal infection. This is a common infection of the skin and is not dangerous
- the lesion may stay the same size for some time, it may grow locally or spread or it may fade spontaneously
- it is best to take over the counter antifungals (cream for athlete's foot, for instance), apply it twice a day on the lesion, 2 cm beyond the outer border, for 2 weeks
- if not improved in 2-3 weeks, you will need to see a doctor to make sure this is a fungal infection

I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

---

Brief Answer:
At the moment I see nothing worrisome

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,

At the moment I see nothing serious or worrisome on the lesion. It is very likely it is a fungal infection (yeast infection) of the skin. This is very common and most of the time it heals spontaneously and in some cases may continue to grow if not treated.

There are cases though that some help is needed with the antifungal creams. You can ask in the pharmacy for over the counter antifungal creams. Creams for athlete's foot (over the counter) contain an antifungal and can be used in this case as well. Over the counter means that you do not need a doctor's prescription to access the medication.

I would not recommend you to ignore it. Firstly, because it may grow or spread to other areas of the body (even though it is not dangerous). And lastly, treating it will help with the diagnosis. If the rash goes away with the cream then we are completely sure this was a fungal infection. If not, then you will need to see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis.

To conclude:
- the lesion seems like a fungal infection. This is a common infection of the skin and is not dangerous
- the lesion may stay the same size for some time, it may grow locally or spread or it may fade spontaneously
- it is best to take over the counter antifungals (cream for athlete's foot, for instance), apply it twice a day on the lesion, 2 cm beyond the outer border, for 2 weeks
- if not improved in 2-3 weeks, you will need to see a doctor to make sure this is a fungal infection

I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

---

Brief Answer:
A fungal infection is the most likely diagnosis given the way the lesion looks

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,

Thank you for the reply and the extra photo uploaded.

There are several conditions that can affect the skin such as different kinds of infections and local reactions such as dermatitis/eczema and also systemic conditions (not primarily of the skin).

On the other hand, if both the skin and the hair are affected at the same time, a fungal infection is the most likely diagnosis that is considered. This is also the simplest to be treated, especially in the context that you can not see a doctor soon. So, it is worth trying an over the counter cream to treat the most likely and the most common cause.

The diagnosis of skin lesions highly depends on how they look. In your case, being a round, red area with raised hair follicles and broken hair shafts, a fungal infection is the most likely diagnosis. There are many different types of fungal infections as well and many ways a lesion infected by a fungus may look.

There are some cases when the way a lesion looks may be misleading or inconclusive. In this case, and especially if the treatment tried does not help, then tests may be conducted. This is rarely the case but it is possible. The doctor may ask for microscopy of samples from the affected area, culture, blood tests and in a few cases even a biopsy.

So, because fungal infection is very likely the cause of round red, well-defined lesions with broken hair shafts and because the antifungal cream is a local treatment (will not reach all your body) and also is easily accessible and not expensive it is worth using it. Sometimes, local treatment may not be sufficient if the hair is involved as oral antifungals may be needed in this case, but at least you can use the cream for the moment to avoid it spreading and to help to a certain extent till you can see your doctor.

I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

---

Brief Answer:
A fungal infection is the most likely diagnosis given the way the lesion looks

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,

Thank you for the reply and the extra photo uploaded.

There are several conditions that can affect the skin such as different kinds of infections and local reactions such as dermatitis/eczema and also systemic conditions (not primarily of the skin).

On the other hand, if both the skin and the hair are affected at the same time, a fungal infection is the most likely diagnosis that is considered. This is also the simplest to be treated, especially in the context that you can not see a doctor soon. So, it is worth trying an over the counter cream to treat the most likely and the most common cause.

The diagnosis of skin lesions highly depends on how they look. In your case, being a round, red area with raised hair follicles and broken hair shafts, a fungal infection is the most likely diagnosis. There are many different types of fungal infections as well and many ways a lesion infected by a fungus may look.

There are some cases when the way a lesion looks may be misleading or inconclusive. In this case, and especially if the treatment tried does not help, then tests may be conducted. This is rarely the case but it is possible. The doctor may ask for microscopy of samples from the affected area, culture, blood tests and in a few cases even a biopsy.

So, because fungal infection is very likely the cause of round red, well-defined lesions with broken hair shafts and because the antifungal cream is a local treatment (will not reach all your body) and also is easily accessible and not expensive it is worth using it. Sometimes, local treatment may not be sufficient if the hair is involved as oral antifungals may be needed in this case, but at least you can use the cream for the moment to avoid it spreading and to help to a certain extent till you can see your doctor.

I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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