Noticed Skin Turning Black Around Her Eyes, Nose, Mouth And Hairline. Taking Risperadal And Nicotine Gum. Suggest

Posted on Fri, 29 Nov 2013

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

Fri, 29 Nov 2013 Answered on

Wed, 18 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : My mom is 67 yrs old and over the past 4-5 months has lost approX 20lbs unintentionally. Eating the same amount and not exercising at all. She is taking risperadal and nicotine gum. She continues to smoke. As of 3-4 weeks ago the skin her face is turning black around her eyes, nose, mouth, hairline. She has not fallen.

Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (6 hours later)

Brief Answer: Kindly go for investigations Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome and thanks for posting your query to Healthcare magic. I can understand your concern for weight loss in your mother. After thorough reading of your mother's problem I can make out that she has lost a lot of weight in last 5 months. As per the medications - risperdal basically causes weight gain and can not cause any pigmentation. Smoking also do not cause such drastic weight loss. So in this case there has to be , though it can cause mild hyper-pigmentation. If I were her treating doctor then I would have gone for her complete blood count and serum biochemistry including X ray chest and sonography of abdomen to rule out any serious cause in her. I suggest you to go for the tests mentioned and report to me accordingly. Do take care of your mother. Dr Sanjay MD

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

Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (4 minutes later)

Will do, thanks. Is this something I should take her to urgent care for tomorrow or wait to schedule an appt w/ her primary care physician?

Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer: You can wait for some days Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to the forum again and thanks for your further query. As the problem of weight loss and pigmentation is present form last few months so there is no acute need of urgent care. You can wait for some days of period and schedule an appointment with her primary care physician. Till that time I request you to kindly ask her to stop smoking at once. Give her the best nutritive diet you can with plenty of fruits, green leafy vegetables and sprouts to her. Do not worry she will be alright. With good health wishes, Dr Sanjay MD

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