HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Have Dry Skin Patches All Over Body. How To Get Rid Of It?

Posted on Wed, 27 Feb 2013

Question: i have several dusty dry patches on skin, spreading, various sizes, primaraly on right inner thigh but also behind arm bicep and one on lower abdomen also one red bump on left inner thigh that i feel my have started all this about a year ago. most of patches surround it in addition I've seen them on my husbands back all of this in the past year?

Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (28 minutes later)

Hi,
Thanks for writing to us.
These dry skin patches could be due to tinea( fungal infection), eczema, psoriasis etc but as your husband too has these patches, these could be of fungal infection. However to be sure of what it is and to suggest an appropriate treatment, I would really appreciate if you could upload an image of the concerned area.
I would also like to know
Since how long are you having it
If lesions are itchy
If scalp is also scaly
If lesions are ring shaped or red with greasy scales or red elevated skin lesion with silvery scales( type of lesion)

Hoping to hear from you soon. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kalpana Pathak (1 hour later)

my husband has the camera @ work I should be able to send a photo this evening after 6p.m .e.s.t.

Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (1 minute later)

Hi,
Send the images as per your convenience.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kalpana Pathak (7 minutes later)

also not itchy unless I start picking @ them @ which point the bleed.they appear scaly, not oily at all but all together very dry ,cottony,dusty, spreading. started appearing last year ,seem to be accelerating now. scalp does not seem to present yet also can't see thru hair.not ring shape or the same size .

Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (3 hours later)

Hi,
As dermatology is a visual field, having a look at the lesion would help me in ascertaining the probable cause. So I would like to see the uploaded images of concerned area.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kalpana Pathak (19 hours later)

Hello Dr. Pathak,

I uploaded a file showing my spots and I replied to your last email with the same photos. Otherwise, I don't know how to send a photo...

Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (1 hour later)

Hi,
Thanks for uploading the images.
The skin lesions look probably like pityriasis rosea.
This disorder is characterised by multiple red oval asymptomatic or mildly itchy spots that are covered by very fine scales. The lesion usually begins as a single big red scaly skin lesion which is followed two or three weeks later by multiple small red scaly lesions over trunk and proximal half of arms and thighs. The lesions over back follow the rib pattern and appear obliquely looking like a Christmas tree pattern. These usually resolve in five to six weeks but some may persist for prolonged period like 6 months or so.
Treatment is usually symptomatic in the form of oral cetirizine and application of topical steroid lotion and calamine lotion.

The other possibility though a bit rare could be of hyper pigmented pityriasis versicolor. The lesions are fungal in origin. These are characterised by pale white or red brown skin lesions which are covered by very fine scales( sometimes invisible). These lesions may coalesce to form bigger lesions. These are usually present over chest and back but may be rarely present over thighs groins or arms or legs. The diagnosis is made by skin scraping and then KOH mount.
Treatment require application of antifungal creams like ketoconazole or clotrimazole.

In your case I would like to know

If the lesion initially began as a big large lesion somewhere and then was followed by appearance of smaller lesions
Since how long are you having it
Any preceding history of proper management that is required.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kalpana Pathak (5 hours later)

yes ,left thigh near red bump , what is the red bump ?also,one last year and at least noticed red bump 2yrs. ago . and yes bronchitus within last 10 years ,vertigo last six years. sinus infection last year and this year.
my husband suffers from brochial problems often ,so they are a virus? ,contagious?, also fequented a tanning salon in dec. I stopsed because I thought I made it worse. Can I XXXXXXX again for short term to resolve this sooner?

Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (10 hours later)

Hi,
Thanks for writing back.
To treat your skin lesions
Use a steroid cream like fluticasone twice in a day
If lesions are itchy take tablet cetirizine daily
Avoid sun bathing till lesions resolve. Some say it helps in resolving the lesions but many disagree.
These lesions are set off by a viral infections but are not contagious.
Try these suggestions for a week and let me know how are they responding.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kalpana Pathak (8 hours later)

thank you for your help are either of the remedy's o.t.c.

Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (3 hours later)

Hi,
As far as I know both of the drugs are OTC.
However if you have any difficulty getting these let me know.
Regards.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar