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Have Brownish Patch On Both Lower Legs. Patch Getting Darker And Spreading. What Could They Be?
Posted on
Mon, 13 Aug 2012
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 13 Aug 2012
Answered on
Tue, 4 Sep 2012
Last reviewed on
Question : I have brownish patches on both my lower legs. They are non-painful. They seem to have gotten darker and covering a larger area over the years. They appear to be shiny. What could they be?
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
There could be multiple reasons like an inflammatory cause, leprosy or an issue with the vessels. In order to help you better, I would request you to answer these questions:
a. Can you feel normally on the skin on these patches?
b. Are you taking any steroids for the asthma?
There are some tests that we would need to run here. We would need a complete blood count, ESR level and a Mantoux test. Also, a slit skin smear test to test for acid fast bacilli would also be needed.
Awaiting your reply
Regards
Thanks for writing in.
There could be multiple reasons like an inflammatory cause, leprosy or an issue with the vessels. In order to help you better, I would request you to answer these questions:
a. Can you feel normally on the skin on these patches?
b. Are you taking any steroids for the asthma?
There are some tests that we would need to run here. We would need a complete blood count, ESR level and a Mantoux test. Also, a slit skin smear test to test for acid fast bacilli would also be needed.
Awaiting your reply
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Aparna Kohli
Thanks.
a. I can feel normally on the skin on these patches.
b. I do no take any medications for asthma. I do not take any medications whatsoever.
a. I can feel normally on the skin on these patches.
b. I do no take any medications for asthma. I do not take any medications whatsoever.
Hi,
I am really sorry for not being able to attend to you soon, I was really running a busy schedule the previous day.
With your description it looks like the following possibilities:
1) Sun damage or photoaging by the UVA exposure
2) Nevi
If you develop itching or rapid increase in size then you should be concerned and show it to local dermatologist. You need KOH examination of the scrapings and fasting blood sugar test.
Most such dark pigmented patches (caused by increased melanoma) are cosmetic disturbance than significant medical condition to worry.
Meantime if you can get over the counter demelanin creams with Alphahydroxy acids, Vitamin C and Retinoic acid cream you may use them.
Protect the areas from sun and observe if they are appearing on face and hands as well.
Hope I addressed your query.
Thank you
I am really sorry for not being able to attend to you soon, I was really running a busy schedule the previous day.
With your description it looks like the following possibilities:
1) Sun damage or photoaging by the UVA exposure
2) Nevi
If you develop itching or rapid increase in size then you should be concerned and show it to local dermatologist. You need KOH examination of the scrapings and fasting blood sugar test.
Most such dark pigmented patches (caused by increased melanoma) are cosmetic disturbance than significant medical condition to worry.
Meantime if you can get over the counter demelanin creams with Alphahydroxy acids, Vitamin C and Retinoic acid cream you may use them.
Protect the areas from sun and observe if they are appearing on face and hands as well.
Hope I addressed your query.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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