Skin Issue

[BaronPete]

Hey doc,

In the past week or so I've started experiencing an odd skin issue. I first started noticing splotchy red little dots on the underside of my biceps near my armpits. At first I thought it was just a skin reaction to my deodorant, but I've been using old spice for years without issue. I'm never terribly itchy, but it does feel relieving to scratch the area briefly. I mostly notice the inflammations appear right after scratching and they have began to appear on the underside of my elbow where my forearm meets the rest of my arm. It will even appear on the side of my torso where it appears my arms lie.

The tiny spots never have much contour to them, as I can rub my hand over it and not really feel any bumps to speak of. No burning or really discomfort at all, just unsightly.

Can't recall having had this problem before. I sleep on average 6-7 hours a night. My diet isn't exactly amazing. Stress levels have been on the highish side the past couple of weeks.

Any insight? I'm always reluctant to go to the regular doc's due to the diagnosis happy ones I tend to see.

[My Flight Surgeon]

Without seeing them I cannot say. May be "ringworm" (tinea) which you can treat with over the counter Lamisil. If it does not get better with that then you need to be seen.

[BaronPete]

I'll give the Lamisil a go, but after reviewing pics online I doubt it is tinea. Perhaps "tinea versicolor." Best I can describe is think freckle sized red dots that don't itch exactly, but show up immediately upon scratching and then linger for a day or so.

Thanks for responding, though!

[SteveC]

The doc has been exceedingly helpful to everyone that posts here, but I'd like to make a general reminder to all of our users that we want to limit this forum to aeromedical and flight physical topics. Doctor Forred has been tremendously generous in providing information here, and I think it is appropriate that we try to keep it from turning into "Free Medical Advice Forum".

Thank you for your understanding!