What Could Be The Cause For Darkening Skin Discoloration On My Face Including The Neck And Suggest Its Treatment?

Posted on Tue, 5 Jun 2018

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

Tue, 5 Jun 2018 Answered on

Sat, 6 Mar 2021 Last reviewed on

Question : Dear Sir
My face(including neck) is getting darker than my rest of body since more than a year.
what could be the cause and treatment ?

Regards
XXXXX

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
some of the possible causes are Lichen planus pigmentosus, riehl’s melanosis, pigmented contact dermatitis

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I have gone through your complaints and it could be due to multiple causes like lichen planus pigmentosus, riehl’s melanosis or pigmented contact dermatitis.

I would recommend you to upload the pictures of the affected areas so that I can have a clearer picture of the condition and can guide you accordingly.

Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (11 hours later)

Thanks Madam for reply
as per your suggestion i am uploading my pictures for your investigation. one small black patch is also developed on forehead
so when i bleach it clears forehead for sometime . its more under my eyes

Regards
XXXXX

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Acanthosis nigricans, answer few questions

Detailed Answer:
I have reviewed the attached photographs and you seem to be having acanthosis nigricans.
I need to ask you few questions:
Do you have diabetes, hypothyroidism or any other ailments?
Are you overweight?
Are you taking any medicines?
What is the duration of this pigmentation?
Kindly revert with the answers.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

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

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (5 hours later)

Hello Madam

here are my answers of your questions
Do you have diabetes, hypothyroidism or any other ailments? - No
Are you overweight? -->Slightly (Weight 71, height 163 cm, BMI 27) but its constant since last 10 years
Are you taking any medicines? --> Yes, for BP (Nebicard 2.5)
What is the duration of this pigmentation? --> around one year.

Regards
XXXXX

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Ega cream or yugard under eye cream, sunscreeen

Detailed Answer:
It is looking like acanthosis nigricans.
If I was your treating doctor I would recommend you to apply retinol cream like yugard under eye cream or ega cream on the dark areas at night and apply sunscreen ( suncros lotion) on the entire face and neck area during the day time.
Also take tablet canthex twice daily for 2-3 months.
These are prescription drugs and should be taken under the supervision of the doctor.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad