Have Olivish Skin. Noticed Discoloration Below Nipple. Any Ideas?

Posted on Sat, 15 Dec 2012

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

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 Answered on

Sat, 5 Jan 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I have olivish skin that tans easy. I travel to XXXXXXX destinations a fair amount. Lately I have noticed two nearly perfect circles about 4cm across. they are each located about 10cm below the nipple and slightly closer to the center line of my chest.

Any ideas?

Answered by Dr. Rohit Batra (29 hours later)

Dear Friend,
Thanks for your query and sorry for the delay in replying. Just a busy schedule.
The discolouration can be Tinea versicolor (TV) or a light eruption due to excessive sun exposure. Light eruptions are usually itchy hence possibility of TV is more. Multiple discoloured patches can occur in front and back of chest especially in persons working in excessive heat. A short course of oral and topical anti fungal is required to cure.
Get this prescribed from the local GP/Dermatologist. I am happy to take further queries.
Regards
Dr Rohit Batra

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

Follow up: Dr. Rohit Batra (4 hours later)

It is not itchy. But if I look online for photos of TV there is non that look like mine. Also the perfect circle I find interesting.

Have you seen this type of coloring and shape before?

Also how do you get TV?

Answered by Dr. Rohit Batra (4 hours later)

Dear,

Thanks for the follow up.

TV is a fungal infection which occurs due to sweat and heat. It can present in any shape and various colours ranging from black to white.

Other rare possibilities which can similar lesions are Lichen simplex atrophicans, post inflammatory hypopigmentation, etc. But TV seems to be the closest possibility.

Hope this answers your query. Let me know if you have other enquiries.

Regards
Dr Rohit Batra

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad