Are Painless Spots On The Skin Signs Of Benign?

Posted on Mon, 25 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 25 Jul 2016 Answered on

Wed, 10 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hey doc, i've had these spots for about a year now. They appeared out of nowhere and cause no irritation or pain. Yet as of now I am on vacation in a XXXXXXX land and my mother got paranoid about these spots and kind of made me paranoid too. Do they look benign or should I seek treatment and avoid the sun? (Pic in the attachment)

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
These are benign, either pityriasis versicolor or cafe au lait macules

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for being at healthcaremagic
I am Dr Asmeet Kaur Sawhney, a dermatologist.
I have reviewed the attached photographs and they seem to be benign lesions.
It is either pityriasis versicolor which is a superficial fungal infection or cafe au lait macules which are benign hyperpigmented patches.
I would recommend you to consult a dermatologist and get yourself examined clinically.
Both the conditions are benign and there is no need to worry.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Priyanka G Raj