Opposite of vitiligo - what is it?!
Question: Hi there everybody
I seem to have the opposite of Vitiligo - I'm whlte and I've got a dark patchy rash.
I've had this rash for a few years but it was lighter before. The past few months I have noticed it has gone darker. It's on my back, neck, chest and a bit on my shoulder. Please note these are areas which have no contact with the sun. Sometimes in winter, the one on the shoulder becomes dry and looks flaky. I don't like how it looks and I'm quite self consious about it, always making sure its all covered up. Doctor before thought t was a fungus thing but creams didn't work. I want to know if any people have heard of it and what I can do. Thank you
Answers: Hi there everybody
I seem to have the opposite of Vitiligo - I'm whlte and I've got a dark patchy rash.
I've had this rash for a few years but it was lighter before. The past few months I have noticed it has gone darker. It's on my back, neck, chest and a bit on my shoulder. Please note these are areas which have no contact with the sun. Sometimes in winter, the one on the shoulder becomes dry and looks flaky. I don't like how it looks and I'm quite self consious about it, always making sure its all covered up. Doctor before thought t was a fungus thing but creams didn't work. I want to know if any people have heard of it and what I can do. Thank you
It's called hyperpigmentation. It can be caused by hormones, sun damage, or injury. It basically occus when there is an over-production of melanocytes (the cells that give us out pigmientation). My guess, based on the locations of your hyperpigmentation, is that yours is hormonally related. The most common cause of hormonally hyperpigmentation, but it doesn't mean you're pregnant. You may just have a natural hormone imbalance. Birth control pills and other medications can also cause this. Hormonally related hyperpigmentation is called melasma. Laser treatments are available, as a are acid peels which can help diminish the appearance of the dark spots. It might be in your best interest to see a different dermatologist... someone who will actually figure out the cause of it instead of just giving up when anti-fungals don't work. For the record, when my sister hit 13 or 14 she got this really bad. It covered her neck, underarms, and stomach. It was really bad. They had her on creams, thinking it was fungal... nothing helped. Eventually, the spots lightened on their own. Today, she doesn't have any at all. my theory is that her body was just getting adjusted to all it's new hormones, and around 17 or 18 when they faded, her hormones became more balanced. Not sure what your age is, but perhaps this will happen to you. Still, go see a dermatologist who might be able to offer treatment options.