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Suggest Treatment For Dark Spots In Groin Area
Question: I am 31 year old female. No significant medical history. I have noticed past 6 mos a few spots in my groin area that are slightly darker than my skin. Theres about 4 of them. Biggest is the size of a nickel. They are not raised but feel smooth texture wise. What are they? Thanks
Brief Answer:
Fungal infection; otc topical antifungal cream for 2 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have gone through your query and I have also reviewed the Image. I can see a single, XXXXXXX colored, well defined, dry looking and slightly raised patch on inner thigh. To me this looks like a fungal infection/ tinea/ ringworm.
If I were the treating doctor I would suggest that you use an otc topical antifungal e.g either clotrimazole 1% cream Or miconazole nitrate 2% cream, twice daily for a period of 2 weeks.
Regards
Fungal infection; otc topical antifungal cream for 2 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have gone through your query and I have also reviewed the Image. I can see a single, XXXXXXX colored, well defined, dry looking and slightly raised patch on inner thigh. To me this looks like a fungal infection/ tinea/ ringworm.
If I were the treating doctor I would suggest that you use an otc topical antifungal e.g either clotrimazole 1% cream Or miconazole nitrate 2% cream, twice daily for a period of 2 weeks.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is there anything else it could be? Im a nurse its definitely not fungal .
Brief Answer:
Other possibilities like erythrasma, seborrheic dermatitis are less likely
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
A XXXXXXX colored patch like this in the groin can have other possibilities like erythrasma, which is a bacterial infection caused by corynebacterium Or Seborrheic dermatitis, however, this is very likely to be a fungal specially considering the morphology- ring like- and the location i.e groin. Groin provides an ideal environment for the fungus to grow.
The diagnosis can also be confirmed by scrapping a small amount of scale and making a KOH preparation and looking for fungal elements under the microscope.
Have you already tried an antifungal cream? Or any other treatment for this?
Regards
Other possibilities like erythrasma, seborrheic dermatitis are less likely
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
A XXXXXXX colored patch like this in the groin can have other possibilities like erythrasma, which is a bacterial infection caused by corynebacterium Or Seborrheic dermatitis, however, this is very likely to be a fungal specially considering the morphology- ring like- and the location i.e groin. Groin provides an ideal environment for the fungus to grow.
The diagnosis can also be confirmed by scrapping a small amount of scale and making a KOH preparation and looking for fungal elements under the microscope.
Have you already tried an antifungal cream? Or any other treatment for this?
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Its been there for more than 6mos. No redness. No itching. No discomfort whatsoever. It honestly looks like a birth mark but it wasnt there since i was born. I have seen a treated fungal rashes a million times for patients. Im certain thats not it .
Brief Answer:
This is certainly not a birth mark.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Of course, you must have had an extensive clinical experience but most of the times we encounter patients who present to us with extensive groin involvement and therefore they usually have a lot of itching, redness etc. Having said that, itching, redness and discomfort are subjective and therefore can vary from none to troublesome, with different patients.
However, for a limited area of involvement Or early skin involvement like yours, these are not very prominent signs and symptoms to rely upon. Moreover, patients with a good personal hygiene usually have limited skin involvement and not much of symptoms.
The best way to go about it is to opt for a 'KOH scraping' and look out for fungal elements/ hyphae. Another options would be to go for a 'therapeutic trial', using a topical antifungal for 2 weeks.
The other possibility that I suggested earlier i.e erythrasma, is also completely asymptomatic. This possibility can be considered if Koh turns out to be negative for fungal elements. The distinctive finging in erythrasma is that it would give a coral red florescence on Wood's lamp illumination.
Regards
This is certainly not a birth mark.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Of course, you must have had an extensive clinical experience but most of the times we encounter patients who present to us with extensive groin involvement and therefore they usually have a lot of itching, redness etc. Having said that, itching, redness and discomfort are subjective and therefore can vary from none to troublesome, with different patients.
However, for a limited area of involvement Or early skin involvement like yours, these are not very prominent signs and symptoms to rely upon. Moreover, patients with a good personal hygiene usually have limited skin involvement and not much of symptoms.
The best way to go about it is to opt for a 'KOH scraping' and look out for fungal elements/ hyphae. Another options would be to go for a 'therapeutic trial', using a topical antifungal for 2 weeks.
The other possibility that I suggested earlier i.e erythrasma, is also completely asymptomatic. This possibility can be considered if Koh turns out to be negative for fungal elements. The distinctive finging in erythrasma is that it would give a coral red florescence on Wood's lamp illumination.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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