Redness, Scaling Areas On Chest. No Itching. What Is It?

Posted on Mon, 18 Mar 2013

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

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 Answered on

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi - My husband has four quarter sized circles on his chest. They are very pale red, slightly scaly looking on the outside and normal skin color on the inside. They don't itch or look/act like Ringworm which I have had (a few years ago.) We noticed three yesterday and another showed up today. No other symptoms. I can't find anything online that it looks like. No red center or bite XXXXXXX like with a tick. We live in New Hampshire so there aren't many bugs right now.

Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (-4 hours later)

Hi,
Thanks for sharing your concern with us.
From the description given, I could think of few possibilities
1 ) seborrheic dermatitis
Red rashes with greasy scales may be seen over chest face upper back and scalp. Treatment is application of steroid antifungal cream combination
2) pityriasis rosea
Red oval rashes are seen with scales at the margin of the lesion. These lesions are self resolving. Application of steroid lotion and calamine lotion may help
3) tinea corporis or ring worm
Ring shaped lesions with scales at margin, initially may be non itchy but are usually itchy. Treated with antifungal cream application.
4 ) psoriasis
Red round rashes covered with thick scales.
These require application of steroids and emollients

I would be in better position to guide you with a possible treatment if you could upload an image of concerned area.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
Regards

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