Suggest Treatment For Skin Rashes And Dark Discolouration Of The Skin

Posted on Mon, 8 Aug 2016

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

Mon, 8 Aug 2016 Answered on

Fri, 26 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I take a series of medications and also suffer from flair-up of skin rashes on different body parts. Over the past 3 years I started to see my facial skin getting darker on the forehead,temples, under eyes,neck, etc., and this has become increasingly worst. I am presently using 'brightalive non-retinol skin brightener by Zo Medical. Please advise.

Answered by Dr. Ahmad Nazzal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Provide list of medications you take

Detailed Answer:
Dear xxxxxxxxxx,

Thank you for trusting us at HCM.

Please provide the list of medication you were taking in the last 3 months, sometimes a drug can lead to facial skin darkening.

Do you notice skin getting darker under your armpit? or the groin? any dark patches around your belly?

Do you sweat more than usual lately? Did you gain or lose weight lately?

Do you spend time lately under the sun? Any history of skin problems? Sun burns?

Please provide answers to the questions I asked in order for me to rule out some possibilities and be able to suggest helpful remedies.

Kind regards,
Dr. Nazzal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Ahmad Nazzal (17 hours later)

Cymbalta 60mg daily,Mirtazapine 15mg daily,Benazepril-HCTZ 20-25mg daily,Raloxifene HCL 60mg daily,Baby Asprin 81 mg daily,Propranolol ER 60mg,Loratadine 10mg daily,Vitamin D2 1.25mg,Myrnetriq 25 mg,Fluticasone Prop 50 mcg -2sprays in ea mostril,daily. Sorry for the delay.

Answered by Dr. Ahmad Nazzal (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hormone replacement therapy induced skin pigmentation

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

Thank you for taking time writing all the medications you use.

Since when do you take Raloxifene?

Although Raloxifene is not a direct hormone replacement medication, but still acts on estrogen receptors as if it is estrogen but protects breasts and uterus from the hormone replacement therapy side effects. Nevertheless, HRT can lead to skin pigmentation and coloration producing dark blotches of skin asymmetrical in nature on the face.

So I advise you refer to the physician who prescribed the Raloxifene for you, and if possible to stop the medication. This can start to reverse the skin pigmentation you are noticing. You will need to avoid sun exposure. You need to use sun protection creams. There are some skin whitening products in the market and you are using one of those already.

I hope I managed to answer your question and I hope my answer will help you in finding solutions to your health issue.

Thank you for your query, and stay in good health.

Kind regards,
Dr. Nazzal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Ahmad Nazzal (9 hours later)

Thank you for addressing this issue, I will discuss a change in my medication Raloxifine with my breast cancer specialist. And as you asked, I do have dark areas under arms, on stomach, behind knees and I perspire a lot.

Answered by Dr. Ahmad Nazzal (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Cortisol level check

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

Another possibility to address is the cortisol level since skin pigmentation on different parts of the body can be a sign of chronic adrenal insufficiency.

So once you talk to your doctors about it bring up the possibility to measure cortisol levels too.

I hope those suggestions will give you directions where to look for solutions to the pigmentation issue.

Kind regards,
Dr. Nazzal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj