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Will The Residual Dark Patches Fade Gradually?
A week ago I got a sunburn. I was all red and got blisters all over my body. but when the skin just started peeling around 3 days after sunburn I peeled some skin off. Now when all the skin is more or less the same color the patches I peeled are much darker and skin there seem to be really dry despite of my using lotion on it all the time. The dark patches are dry but won t peel. Is it normal? Will they go away in a bit? And why did they form?
posted on
Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 27 Nov 2014
Answered on
Thu, 27 Nov 2014
Last reviewed on
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic
You seems to have developed Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH).
PIH is a non-specific reaction that can develop after any inflammatory insult to the skin e.g sunburn; this is followed by new melanin synthesis manifesting as PIH.
Sun-exposure plays a part as PIH is more common on sun-exposed sites like face.
You may use a broad spectrum sunscreen, throughout the day to prevent further sun induced darkening. Reapply it every 2-3 hours.
If i was the treating doctor I would have asked you to use a moderately potent topical steroid e.g fluticasone propionate cream 0.05%, twice daily for the dark patches.
This should gradually make it fine within a few days.
Regards
You seems to have developed Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH).
PIH is a non-specific reaction that can develop after any inflammatory insult to the skin e.g sunburn; this is followed by new melanin synthesis manifesting as PIH.
Sun-exposure plays a part as PIH is more common on sun-exposed sites like face.
You may use a broad spectrum sunscreen, throughout the day to prevent further sun induced darkening. Reapply it every 2-3 hours.
If i was the treating doctor I would have asked you to use a moderately potent topical steroid e.g fluticasone propionate cream 0.05%, twice daily for the dark patches.
This should gradually make it fine within a few days.
Regards
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