What Do Red Spots On Back Indicate?

Posted on Sat, 15 Nov 2014

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

Sat, 15 Nov 2014 Answered on

Tue, 2 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : If you look at the image attached you can see that I have these red spots on my back. They do not hurt or itch and they have not spread since they appeared. They have been there about 6 months they appeared while I was in XXXXXXX Garcia but I don't remember doing anything that would have caused this. I am 21 years old 6 foot tall and weigh 180 pounds my only allergy that I know of is penicillin. I do not use tobacco products I rarely drink and I eat healthy.

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Tinea versicolor

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I read history and saw photo you posted. I appreciate your query. I feel that most probable diagnosis would be tinea versicolor.

It is a superficial fungal infection caused by melassezia furfur. The disease may be characterised by patches of different shapes with clear border and have various color ...whitish,reddish,brownish and blackish, as the name. It is asymptomatic disease. Only cause cosmetic disability.

You consult dermatologist and have firm diagnosis. KOH scrapping for fungus may be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Antifungal like ketoconazole or itraconazole may be taken for few weeks..It may be repeated, if needed. Topical application of ketoconazole cream on the patches twice a day might improve the disease. As the fungus resides on scalp, please do shampoo of ketoconazole daily to clear the fungus from the scalp.

If anybody is affected in family, treat him or her. As the disease is contagious,all precautions may be taken to prevent the disease. Avoid soap bath. You may use dettol liq for bath. Wash the clothes in warm water.

I hope this would be helpful in managing your skin disease.

Still,any query..welcome.

Thanks with best wishes.

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad