Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with dermatology

This is not the tattoo I would have chosen for myself.

spacewrench — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:36:39 -0800

What might cause a straight vertical skin discoloration from nostril to lip? You are not my doctor, but a couple weeks ago, during a minor bout of common cold (probably), I noticed that a straight vertical line appeared on my upper lip, from right nostril down. It looks a bit like I haven't shaved properly, but it's not just a line of dark whisker follicles. The cold has gone away, but the line is still there. Any ideas what it might be?

Bay Area Dermatologist Recommendations?

noahdubya — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:19:55 -0800

Can anyone recommend a good (for acne) dermatologist in the Bay Area (SanJose/SantaCruz) I've been able to keep my acne under control for what seems like forever. One year into a PhD program, and I think that I should be seeking some professional help. That, plus I have health insurance as a graduate student (yay). But, there are sooooo many MDs. Any recommendations?

Pink / Red little moles on chest?

ilovehistory — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:09:18 -0800

What are the very deep pink (almost red) mole-like dots that often appear between the breasts? Can't find the name anywhere on the internet. I'm wondering if it would be worth going to a dermatologist to get them removed. Anybody know the price for

Recommend a professional skin care brand?

pinkbungalow — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 05:46:40 -0800

What is your favorite professional skin care line? I'm opening a studio where we will offer skin care services. I have been searching and researching and trying different lines. I am ruling out Dermalogica. What has worked for you? Nice smelling, organic, all that would be great but it has to be a line that can produce good results for my clients. I've already selected PCA, but I'd like to find another that may be a notch down in price points. I can't recommend something I don't believe in, so I'd love any suggestions.

How can I change my diet to reduce acne?

deern the headlice — Sun, 24 May 2009 17:14:36 -0800

Can you personally recommend a nutrition regimen that reduces acne breakouts? I've had acne off and on for about 10 years and the only oral medication that has ever helped is Bactrim. But now that I'm back on it, I seem to have built up a tolerance to it and am still breaking out.

Both patients and doctors seem wildly at odds about whether or not diet affects acne. Studies say sugars and salts exacerbate it, other studies say food doesn't affect skin whatsoever.

Still, if I can make changes in my diet that positively affect my skin, I'm willing to try. That includes stuff like Brewer's Yeast or vitamins.

I would really like to hear specifically from people who have had the experience of improving their skin by changing their diet, and what the experience was like.

Thanks!

Any good tinea versicolor remedies?

LolaGeek — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:02:55 -0800

I've had tinea versicolor for a couple years now, treated with prescription ointment. The ointment doesn't seem to be working anymore, and I don't know what else to do. Please help an itchy lady. Two years ago, a dermatologist diagnosed the itchy, red, scaly patch in the middle of my chest as tinea versicolor, and I started using a prescription ointment - Ciclopirox Cream 0.77% - to treat it. After several months of twice-daily application, it started clearing up slightly (was still scaly, but the redness and itchiness were mostly gone). I continued using the ointment once a day, and the patch of skin stayed about the same. A few months ago I went back to the dermatologist because I was running out of ointment, and what I had had expired (also, it was time for my mole check-up). I got a new prescription of the same ointment.

Recently, the condition has gotten much worse. The patch has grown vertically, is much redder, and much itchier. I have to make an effort not to stick my hand down my shirt and scratch my chest in public, and when I do scratch it, there's been a couple times that I broke the skin (not sure if this is because I scratched so hard, or because the skin is a different texture and therefore more fragile). I've been using the ointment twice a day, and also using Selsun Blue in the shower, but there doesn't seem to be any improvement.

I'm getting worried now, because the weather is getting warmer and my cleavage is only going to get sweatier (which seems to be the original cause of this condition). Before I go back to the dermatologist for the second time in three months, is there any other treatment I could try? If I do go back to the doctor, is there another medication or treatment I should ask about?

Also, side question: is it possible for me to spread this to other areas of my body (e.g. by drying off with a towel)?

What kind of doctor do I need?

kpmcguire — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:21:14 -0800

I have a rash. I've been on two different courses of antibiotics and it keeps coming back. What do I do? At the tail end of January, I started developing a rash. Red sores started appearing all over my body, and they were crusting over with a brown fluid. I went to a walk-in clinic, was diagnosed with impetigo and given a 10-day course of antibiotics (clindamycin). It started going away and I was relieved. After the antibiotics were gone, it came back. I went back to the clinic, and the doctor and I agreed that I just needed more antibiotics. I was prescribed prednisone to get rid of some of the skin irritation and a 14 day course of clindamycin. It was almost completely gone, but now it's come back again.

So what do I do now? Should I go back to the walk-in clinic? I guess it's possible that the doctor misdiagnosed me. Or should I go see a "real" doctor? Or maybe a dermatologist?

I'll admit I've been doing a lot of "research" on the internet and I am freaking myself out. Maybe it's shingles, scabies, bedbug bites, the plague, an allergic reaction, etc.

I just don't know what to do. I don't have a lot of experience going to doctors, mostly because I haven't had insurance for most of my adult life. For example, I have this vague notion that I can't just make an appointment with a dermatologist; I need to get a referral, and it will take weeks to get an appointment. I don't have a regular doctor. Oh, also, I am unemployed and don't have a lot of money. That was why I chose the walk-in clinic in the first place.

I'm not looking to get diagnosed by strangers on the internet. I know I need a doctor. I just don't know where to go.

I need to start living my life again! This sucks!

How I learned to stop worrying and love the Human Papillomavirus

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:03:28 -0800

Why does a healthy adult keep getting warts? How to prevent? How to cope? I’m 24 years old, relatively healthy, and seem to be uniquely susceptible to warts. I also have tendencies towards obsessive-compulsive behavior, and lately, I’ve been showing symptoms of depression. I’d really appreciate some medical information and psychological counsel, as well as some personal anecdotes.

Right now, I have a very small wart on the bottom of my left big toe, and something that seems to be developing into a wart on my left thumb. Probably wouldn’t be a big deal for most people, but it’s affecting me pretty significantly, especially this last discovery with the thumb. I keep looking at it constantly and prodding it and seeing if there’s any new development.

In the past, I’ve had warts crop up here and there, which have thus far been eliminated (after a lot of stress and multiple different treatments were thrown at it), with the exception of my most current warts, obviously. Even the giant plantar wart that was three inches in diameter (pretty amazing, really) was eventually eliminated with cantharidin treatments my freshman year of college.

Still, these warts take their toll psychologically, and recently, I’ve been led to do some thinking. It strikes me as odd that a healthy adult, especially one with OCD tendencies, would keep getting warts like this. So my first question would be: is there anyone who, as adults, have or have had the same problem? My guess is that there are, but I’d like to hear about it.

Second, is it even worth stressing over warts like this? What are the real dangers of having warts? Also, should I now be keeping my thumb covered at all times? Because I more or less did that for my foot (although I have been going to bed barefoot) and yet here I am with another wart, on my thumb, of all places.

Which leads to the third question: is HPV pretty much everywhere? Because I was originally going to ask a question a while back on MeFi about how to kill/inactivate HPV on surfaces, like the floor, for instance, but I’m now led to believe the attempt would be futile and impractical. Am I right? Am I to worry about shedding on my instrument (a string instrument, so made of wood and covered with varnish)? (Viral shedding, not shredding.)

Fourth, anything else I should be aware of, from a medical standpoint? I’m wearing flip-flops in the shower, drying my feet (which I didn’t do before, figuring I was safe). I’m treating my toe with salicylic acid and waiting on the thumb. Anything to help my immune system?

Fifth, probably the most important. As I mentioned, this latest discovery of the possible wart on my thumb has gotten me pretty down. I guess it’s partly because I was more or less coming to terms with the one on my foot, which seemed like it was on its way out, and now I have this new thing on my thumb, which is worse, since I’m a musician and I work with my hands. And let’s not forget the fact of my dealing with OCD.

Now, I’m thinking these are the thoughts, conscious and subconscious, that are running through my head:

I shouldn’t be getting warts.
In a just world, this wouldn’t happen to me.
I did everything and it didn’t make a difference.
Nobody else seems to be getting warts. Especially not the cool kids, who seem so worry-free.
These warts are going to get worse.
These warts are going to multiply.
They’re going to get on my hands, my face, and my groinage area.
I’m going to turn into the treeman like that guy from Indonesia. (Probably unlikely.)
I’m going to contaminate the things around me, especially my instrument.
I won’t be able to do my job.
I’ll keep passing them on to myself.
I’ll pass them on to others.
I’m going to have to deal with this stress, with treatment and “quarantining” and just the general fact of having warts, for months to come. (I’m stressing over stress.)

Now, these are examples of distorted, irrational thinking. I think. I mean, some of them might have an ounce of truth to it, but it’s getting magnified and twisted beyond what’s reasonable. I haven’t gotten beyond Chapter 4 of David Burns’s The Feeling Good Handbook, so my final question: how do I deal with these thoughts? How do I learn to stop worrying and love the Human Papillomavirus? Any help would be welcome. Repeating “It’s not your fault” like Robin Williams might not hurt, either.

If you made it this far, congratulations. I’ve put hours into editing this, and because I have so many questions and now would just like some answers, I’m posting this as is. Thanks for any help with any of the questions in advance. IANAD disclosures for the medical questions would be appreciated.

Postscript:
I really don’t know if this thing on my thumb is a wart or not. I noticed some rough skin on the nail groove, next to the nail, and I pruned it with a nail clipper. It’s still a bit hard, so, I really don’t know. I wish I did.

As for why I’m not seeing a professional psychiatrist, it’s because I’m cheap, and due to my circumstances, geographic and otherwise, it’ll take forever to get an appointment, and it’ll be expensive, and by the time I get an appointment I might not be here.

My obsessions and compulsions arise mostly out of thoughts dealing with contagion. I didn't originally respond to the notion of actual germs, just the notion of general filth, passed on by touch (ad infinitum), but since moving, I've noticed that my thoughts started dealing with actual pathogens. Less so now, but it's become a factor.

Now that I’ve thought about it, I’ve pretty much gotten warts while I was away from home: away at college, away at a summer program, and now while I’m in Europe. So stress seems to be a big factor. Doesn’t make it easier, though.

Hand Rash

jckll — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:04:19 -0800

You are not my doctor: Rash on the back of my hand? Past day or two I have noticed a rash on the back of my left hand. It runs in a thin-ish (7-8mm), jagged-ish line from the first segment of my index finger down the "crook" of my hand (between index/thumb), about 1" up my thumb (just past the 1st knuckle) then back down the "base" of my thumb (the backside of the meaty part).

Its outline is almost boot-shaped. Take Italy, put your hand over it so the first knuckle of your right index finger is on rome, and that's about what my rash looks like. Except much thinner, and on my left hand (so reverse it). And the only "Italian border" that is on my hand is the Western border; the Adriatic coast has not been created yet. And no Sicily.

This is all on the back of my hand. It doesn't extend to the side or palm. It is only on my left hand. Moisturizing it appears to make it a bit less red, but hasn't (so far) made it go away. It isn't particularly itchy or painful at all, but it's only been maybe 24-36 hours since I noticed it.

Any ideas? I have had ringworm before (like 4 years ago) and it doesn't look anything like that. Not circular at all. I do have vitiligo, but I don't think that has much to do with it. Had that for ~10 years and never had a rash like this before.

I know YANAD(or maybe you are)/YANMD. I will not sue.

Umerus virga, maybe?

evidenceofabsence — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:28:00 -0800

I'm looking for a dermatological term for what I can only describe as "arm stripes." (Photo link inside.) I was recently reading about Blaschko's lines (because, hey, neat!), and decided to do a Google image search. One of the photos that popped up seems to have been miscategorized. Instead of depicting the typical mosaic pattern of Blaschko's lines, it shows an arm that has darker pigmentation on the outside, with a pretty distinct line occurring between this darker pigmentation, and lighter pigmentation on the inside of the arm.

You know, arm stripes.

I have exactly this pattern of pigmentation on my arms, and am curious if it has a name. I've always assumed it was the result of my having olive skin that tans at the drop of a hat, resulting in my outer arms being permanently darker than my inner arms.

To be clear, I am in no way concerned about this (thankfully, I am now of an age where older women do see fit to spit on their fingers to wipe the "schmutz" off of my outer arm). I'd just love to know if there's a fancy medical term I can use to describe my pigmentation. Other than, um, "arm stripes."

How do I get rid of this blackhead on my back?

Rad_Boy — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:48:14 -0800

I have an old, large blackhead on my back that resists my attempts to remove it by squeezing (due to its position). I asked my dermatologist to remove it and he said "have your wife squeeze it out." He gave me no clue as to why he wouldn't do it. I was not about to ask my wife to do this yucky thing. OK, so who do you go to to get this done?

What the heck was growing on my back?

Octoparrot — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:19:51 -0800

Help me interpret these biopsy results - Junctional Nevus with Mildly Displastic Features. I recently was referred to a dermatologist by my primary care physician due to a mole on my lower back that was getting irritated by my pants. He did a scan over my body and basically said "Nothing looks abnormal but I'd like you to get a full body scan by a dermatologist."

Two weeks later went to dermatologist who looked me over head to toe and recommended cutting out three lesions. Biopsy results came back and one had the above diagnosis. There is notes (summarized) stating "The limited margins appear to be free of the process but clinical correlation in regard to treatment planning is recommended."

I have a follow-up scheduled in 3 months to review further and probably have a few more lesions removed. The nurse I spoke with basically said it's nothing to be concerned with but I'd like to just get an idea of what this could eventually have turned into and what long term this could mean.

Personal info - 27 year old white male, very light skinned. No other medical conditions to speak of.

Why is bilateral vitiligo bilateral?

kisch mokusch — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:25:35 -0800

Why is bilateral vitiligo bilateral? The pattern of depigmentation in vitiligo vulgaris is frequently symmetrical, but I can't seem to find any explanations as to why. I've been trying to find the answer on pubmed and in reviews, but it doesn't seem to be addressed very often.

I know the answer is likely to be "nobody knows", but I'm interested in what the current theories are.

The heartbreak of... what?!

arianell — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:56:55 -0800

Over the past week, my skin has developed a number of flaky red spots. What could they possibly be? About a week ago, I noticed a small patch of scaly skin on my left shoulder... quite red, vaguely elliptical, about an inch across, not itchy or painful at all. Since then, it seems like 1 or 2 new spots appear on my body every day. I now also have one on my neck, one on my chest, two on my stomach, and three on my lower back.

My first thought was ringworm, but that seems unlikely since my lovely cat doesn't have any signs of it. Also, my spots lack the characteristic "ring" shape and they aren't raised at all.

These things aren't responding to my vigilant moisturizing efforts, or to hydrocortisone cream or antibiotics. Any idea what they might be?

Pimple in sensitive area?

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:12:03 -0800

I have what seems like a flesh-colored pimple in a sensitive area. It's in my groin area (I'm a 25-year-old man) underneath some pubic hair, and it's probably half the size of a dime. It feels like a small lump that extends a little beneath the surface of the skin. I can't feel anything if I just touch it, but if I push it harder, then it hurts a bit (just as pushing a pimple might). It does not look as if it's pus-filled. I'm not sexually active right now and have not been for quite a while.

What worries me slightly is that it's been there for several weeks now without going away.

Anyhow, what is this likely? A pimple? A boil? Ingrown hair? Is it a problem or will it go away by itself?

Finger Cancer, most likely.

Ambrosia Voyeur — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:27:51 -0800

For the love of God, what is wrong with my finger? This patch sort of peeled, and seems dry, and is dark with distinct light spots. There is another patch on the web between my pointer and thumb. I haven't done anything unusual recently with it, um, I don't think.

The Eyes Have It.

BrotherCaine — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:36:46 -0800

Why do diabetics intermittently get little swaths of redness at the outside corners of the eye? I've had this happen sometimes (I haven't related it to sugars yet, I'll do more logging), and I've known two other Type I diabetics who exhibit this.

How do you get rid of extremely stubborn plantar warts?

inatizzy — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:42:19 -0800

Advice for treating some ridiculously persistent plantar warts? What remedies do you know that have been successful after all others have failed? Is there anyone who specializes in treating plantar warts? (In the Boston area.) The details, as briefly as possible.

- Have had a wart on the bottom of my foot for almost 8 years, right where I put my weight. Got it treated within months of noticing it, but it didn't respond to freezing or salicylic acid so I home-treated by cutting it down with nail clippers whenever it got too big and painful to walk on. (I picked at it enough to create a little crater, usually.) Thought it would go away on its own in time.

- Fast forward to two years ago. Wart still going strong as ever and has grown into a mosaic wart. (lots of little warts together.) I get serious about treatment and try freezing, Compound W equivalent, duct tape, topical steroid, candida antigen, led meditation (aka hypnosis), and most recently, Heal Warts. (Has anyone actually had success with Heal Warts? I thought I saw a reduction in the number of blood vessels after I'd used it for awhile, but I'm skeptical that they were related, and the wart is still as big and painful as ever.)

- Now, the wart is still alive and going strong. In fact, within the past few months while I've been using Heal Warts, I've developed warts on the top of my big toe by the nail, on the knuckle of the toe next to it, and on one of my fingers. (Before this, it had been at least 6-7 years since I'd developed new warts.)

- I have read a lot online and on Ask MeFi. I know that it is caused by a strain of HPV. I have heard of people whose warts were cured with Gardasil (HPV vaccine) and I am about to start the 3-shot series, but I don't know if I can really rely on that since the HPV strain that causes warts is not included in the vaccine.

- I have seen the articles online that debunk the idea that duct tape, banana peel, etc. are better than placebo.

- At the top of the leg with the warty foot (the same side as the warty finger), I have a swollen lymph gland. I don't have this on the other side (which has no warts) so I wonder if this is somehow related to my body trying to fight this virus. I noticed it a few weeks ago and it may have been enlarged for who knows how long before that; I've not seen an improvement in my warts since noticing it, though.

- I am not interested in surgical removal (cutting it out) or laser treatment. The wart is huge and I am afraid of scarring which could leave me with just as much discomfort. (except then, it would be permanent.) Also, since it's caused by a virus, the warts could just come back. (though at this point I'll admit I'm becoming increasingly focused on getting rid of this one rather than eradicating warts forever.)

::phew:: I'm sorry that was not very short. I would be extremely grateful for any advice you can give me, especially coming from situations similar to mine, where the warts are mosaic and have been extremely hard to treat. If you have personal experiences with treatments (successful or not) I'd love to hear them, as well as any specialists or websites or medical papers you can point me to.

Thank you!!

Seborrhea management tips?

MrVisible — Sun, 18 May 2008 13:58:19 -0800

Have any tips on successfully managing seborrhea? I've been diagnosed by a doctor and a dermatologist, and it's one of those medical conditions where there's no cure, and everyone has to find their own routine using a wide variety of treatment options. I just don't think mine is working very well.

I'm at the stage where my face is really red across the nose and cheeks and partly on the forehead, and the skin tends to get somewhat flaky. I use a ketoconazole shampoo once or twice a week, and a coal-tar shampoo occasionally too, lathering up my hair and face and leaving it on for about five or ten minutes at a time. When things get particularly bad, I have a prescription for 2% hydrocortizone cream, which I use sparingly and not very often, as it can cause its own problems. I use various lotions and moisturizers often, but none seem to make any long-term difference, though they relieve the flaking for a while.

Has anyone gotten a routine down which has their seborrhea under better control? Has anyone gotten back to where they don't look like they're blushing madly all the time, or have just gotten off a three-week bender? Seriously, I think I'd be pretty handsome right now if my hue wasn't a few shades off; help me get to like my face again.

Thanks.

What do you think of the Obagi Skin System?

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:49:13 -0800

Has anyone had experience with the Obagi Skin System? I went to see a Aesthetic/Laser Center today to see what could be done about my skin, which is damaged from my old bad habits of sun, booze, and cigarettes. I also had severe acne as a teenager, and have the scars and occasional flareups now.

The doctor recommended the Obagi Skin System - either by itself or in conjunction with some laser treatments. She said it involved Retin-A and hydroquinone. I've used Retin-A before, with decent results.

I've found some reviews online, but don't know quite how real they are. So I'm wondering - was it a sales pitch, or does the system really work?

How to treat/prevent ingrown hairs

oldlies — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:07:08 -0800

How does one treat, eliminate, and prevent ingrown hairs and red bumps from from hair waxing, especially in the pubic region? Totally annoying. How do I treat the ones I've developed and what can I do in the future to minimize or prevent the occurrence of these pesky little things?

What can they do with skin these days?

StrikeTheViol — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:13:17 -0800

I'm trying to find a good, regularly updated source of dermatology info that doesn't focus on advertising, celebrities, human oddities, or simple skin care advice. I'd like to find something that discusses recent developments in the field in terms of trends, new treatments and the like, but I'm having a hard time finding more than superficial info about common procedures. I'd like to be more informed about the practice of dermatology in general, as well. Thanks in advance, MeFi.

Dermatologists (or those who go to them) help me prevent & treat wrinkles (details inside).

mintchip — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:04:27 -0800

Dermatologists (or those who go to them) help me prevent & treat undereye wrinkles (details inside). I've been a die-hard sunscreen user for years, and I'm also fanatic about staying out of the sun. Consequently, people always guess I'm almost a decade younger.

However, newer sunscreen formulas always manage to get into my eyes and are extremely irritating so lately I've stopped using sunscreen around the eye area. Also, I tend to squint a lot when I smile.

ALL of a sudden(!) I just woke up with fine lines under my eyes...and they are getting worse.

My questions are thus:

1. Are there sunscreens that absolutely won't irritate the eye area?
2. If I learn to stop squinting when I smile will it make any difference at this point?
3. Is there any treatment that will really fix the fine lines? Do lasers really work and if so, how much do they cost? What about topical treatments (OTC, prescription, etc.)?

I know this might seem silly, but humor me please. I've been wearing sunscreen 365 days/year for years, so obviously I am hoping to slow Father Time.

Identify this blotchy skin.

Neiltupper — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:57:08 -0800

Blotchy skin. Is this familiar to anyone? My partner has what on first glance is a rash on the calf of one (only) of her legs, but it's not a rash - it's more of a painless, non-itchy discoloration in the pattern of a lattice which appears to follow the path of veins. The lattice lines are brown while the areas inside the lines appear to be normal. Google fails me (or more likely, I fail Google). Any suggestions as to what it might be?

How to get rid of small bumps on forehead?

Malad — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:15:52 -0800

I seem to have a perpetual set of quite small, flesh-colored or slightly red, acne-like bumps on my forehead. These are not too obvious (though they show when I tilt my forehead in the light as imperfections in the skin), and don't look grotesque or anything. They are not pus-filled nor do they hurt when touched. How do I make them go away? Daily face-washing doesn't do much, and the one time I had a facial didn't really help either.