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What Causes Symmetrical And Itchy Spots On Face?
Question: The spots on my face are symmetrical and itchy. What's causing it? They are mostly on the chin around the mouth, and on the cheek as well.
Brief Answer:
Kindly elaborate query and send pictures
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.
I can understand your concern for symmetrical and itchy spots on face.
In view to help you better I request you to kindly tell me certain important points:
- Since how long you have these spots.
- Do you feel that these posts increase sometimes or decrease. Any factors increasing the spots.
- Do you feel any burning, itching or pain on these spots. If yes then is it mild/moderate/ severe.
- Your occupation and daily routine with emphasis on sun exposure or computer activities.
It view to help you best I request you to send good resolution pictures of face area so that I can analyze it better. For uploading the pictures you have a facility on the right side of the page or can send on:
YYYY@YYYY
with "attention:Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia"
Hope to hear soon form your side.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD- Dermatology
Kindly elaborate query and send pictures
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.
I can understand your concern for symmetrical and itchy spots on face.
In view to help you better I request you to kindly tell me certain important points:
- Since how long you have these spots.
- Do you feel that these posts increase sometimes or decrease. Any factors increasing the spots.
- Do you feel any burning, itching or pain on these spots. If yes then is it mild/moderate/ severe.
- Your occupation and daily routine with emphasis on sun exposure or computer activities.
It view to help you best I request you to send good resolution pictures of face area so that I can analyze it better. For uploading the pictures you have a facility on the right side of the page or can send on:
YYYY@YYYY
with "attention:Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia"
Hope to hear soon form your side.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD- Dermatology
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I've had these spots since at least January, but last year as well. I know that there is some hormonal element. They get worse mid cycle. But last year they would go away completely and come back mildly, but this year they do not seem to go away. They are mostly on my chin and jaw and cheek. Not on my forehead or nose. The picture taken today shows them on a good day, the left side of my face is worse than the right. The left side of my face is on the left side of the picture. There is no burning or pain, only itching on the spots, I'd say mild-moderate. I'm a graduate, not yet employed, and i don't spend too much time outside, and maybe 2-3 hours on the computer. I used to use a topical cream on my spots but that ran out and wasn't effective anyway. I wash my face every morning and evening, use a toner and moisturise as well. I use XXXXXXX cleanser, Garnier toner, and a face cream with SPF.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Acne and "post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation"
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome again and thanks for posting important details along with pictures.
After analyzing the complete problem along with pictures I can make out that you have got pimples known as acne and the spots are "post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation". Additionally to tell you that there is definitely an impact of hormones in your case because of presence near lower face.
Before I proceed to your issue let me explain you elaborately regarding pimples- Acne or pimples generally appears at the age of 13-14 years and then almost vanishes between the age of 25-30 years.
These erupts basically due to hormones (chemicals which are influencing one or other body functions including growth, puberty and development of body in adults) in addition to the influence of certain other factors causing its aggravation.
Basic XXXXXXX the hormone testosterone (androgens) and its bye-products play the most important role in high oil secretion and increase the size of oil glands especially in males. Because of more oil secretion the pores or ducts of the glands are blocked leading to formation of pimples.
In females there is not a direct presence of testosterone but the female hormones turns into the testosterone and other of related chemicals. I can make out that your Androgen hormone is towards higher side and therefore there is irregularity in menses too.
There are certain other factors such as application of oily or creamy products, over exposure to sunlight, heat and humidity or due to pinching, popping and squeezing of the pimples also leads to formation of pimples. Once these are healing these leave the most problematic thing which are either marks or scars.
You are 27 years at this time and acne can very much appear before the age of 27 years. I have personally seen that in females stress play a very important role in aggravation of pimples. In your case too it appears that stress is causing major impact on pimples. There is more impact of stress after the initial half of cycle and therefore females find it more during second half of cycle and in particular premenses.
As you try to touch and squeeze he pimples and eruptions then these heals with pigmentation which you observe as spots. These leaves marks which heals with the kind of spots you have mentioned. The facial area is prone for sun damage and it causes over production of melanin in the skin. This pigmentation is known as " Post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation ". So by the production of melanin in excess, the area gets further darkened. This melanin is initially superficial in the epidermis (in upper skin) but later on becomes dermal (deep in the skin). Additionally on sides of your face when you use cell phones then the contact of phone itself causes more irritation and therefore there is further aggravation of pigmentation.
There are certain suggestions which you can follow:
1. Do not pinch, pop or squeeze any area on face.
2. Do not apply any creamy or oily stuff or any other cosmetics over face. Do not apply toner and any oil or cream based sunscreen as it blocks the pores and irritates the skin.
3. Try to avoid any home remedies suggested by your friends or family members or otherwise self implicated therapies also.
4. Try avoiding situations of direct continuous exposure to sunlight or heat and humidity for long hours. Make your room properly ventilated it will improve the status of pimples.
5. Kindly do not use any antibiotic as self medication.
6. Do not apply any hair oil on scalp or apply in very less amount. Wash your scalp daily with some good shampoo and let there be no dandruff in your scalp ( because dandruff itself causes blockage of pores of oil glands and then pimples).
For the part of treatment:
In my patients with your kind of problem of eruptions I suggest them to apply a gel based topical application containing clindamycin and adaplene gel ( Deriva C gel). It should be applied at night time only. A very thin application of gel is sufficient on the affect3ed area only so that it should not be visible to the naked eye. You may feel mild to moderate of burning sensation if you are applying on higher side. So a mere touching of the gel is sufficient.
- For spots f I were your treating dermatologist then would have prescribed combination approach with a cream (under dermatological supervision) containing Kojic acid with arbutin and mulberry extract in it for one night and Azelaic acid gel on the other night over the affected area of pigmentation. These are one of the best and safest creams to be applied. I suggest my patients to apply any of these creams in a very thin layer at night time only so that these should not be visible to naked eye. Apply at night time before sleeping.
I hope that the information will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to help.
"With healthy skin wishes"
Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)
Acne and "post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation"
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome again and thanks for posting important details along with pictures.
After analyzing the complete problem along with pictures I can make out that you have got pimples known as acne and the spots are "post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation". Additionally to tell you that there is definitely an impact of hormones in your case because of presence near lower face.
Before I proceed to your issue let me explain you elaborately regarding pimples- Acne or pimples generally appears at the age of 13-14 years and then almost vanishes between the age of 25-30 years.
These erupts basically due to hormones (chemicals which are influencing one or other body functions including growth, puberty and development of body in adults) in addition to the influence of certain other factors causing its aggravation.
Basic XXXXXXX the hormone testosterone (androgens) and its bye-products play the most important role in high oil secretion and increase the size of oil glands especially in males. Because of more oil secretion the pores or ducts of the glands are blocked leading to formation of pimples.
In females there is not a direct presence of testosterone but the female hormones turns into the testosterone and other of related chemicals. I can make out that your Androgen hormone is towards higher side and therefore there is irregularity in menses too.
There are certain other factors such as application of oily or creamy products, over exposure to sunlight, heat and humidity or due to pinching, popping and squeezing of the pimples also leads to formation of pimples. Once these are healing these leave the most problematic thing which are either marks or scars.
You are 27 years at this time and acne can very much appear before the age of 27 years. I have personally seen that in females stress play a very important role in aggravation of pimples. In your case too it appears that stress is causing major impact on pimples. There is more impact of stress after the initial half of cycle and therefore females find it more during second half of cycle and in particular premenses.
As you try to touch and squeeze he pimples and eruptions then these heals with pigmentation which you observe as spots. These leaves marks which heals with the kind of spots you have mentioned. The facial area is prone for sun damage and it causes over production of melanin in the skin. This pigmentation is known as " Post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation ". So by the production of melanin in excess, the area gets further darkened. This melanin is initially superficial in the epidermis (in upper skin) but later on becomes dermal (deep in the skin). Additionally on sides of your face when you use cell phones then the contact of phone itself causes more irritation and therefore there is further aggravation of pigmentation.
There are certain suggestions which you can follow:
1. Do not pinch, pop or squeeze any area on face.
2. Do not apply any creamy or oily stuff or any other cosmetics over face. Do not apply toner and any oil or cream based sunscreen as it blocks the pores and irritates the skin.
3. Try to avoid any home remedies suggested by your friends or family members or otherwise self implicated therapies also.
4. Try avoiding situations of direct continuous exposure to sunlight or heat and humidity for long hours. Make your room properly ventilated it will improve the status of pimples.
5. Kindly do not use any antibiotic as self medication.
6. Do not apply any hair oil on scalp or apply in very less amount. Wash your scalp daily with some good shampoo and let there be no dandruff in your scalp ( because dandruff itself causes blockage of pores of oil glands and then pimples).
For the part of treatment:
In my patients with your kind of problem of eruptions I suggest them to apply a gel based topical application containing clindamycin and adaplene gel ( Deriva C gel). It should be applied at night time only. A very thin application of gel is sufficient on the affect3ed area only so that it should not be visible to the naked eye. You may feel mild to moderate of burning sensation if you are applying on higher side. So a mere touching of the gel is sufficient.
- For spots f I were your treating dermatologist then would have prescribed combination approach with a cream (under dermatological supervision) containing Kojic acid with arbutin and mulberry extract in it for one night and Azelaic acid gel on the other night over the affected area of pigmentation. These are one of the best and safest creams to be applied. I suggest my patients to apply any of these creams in a very thin layer at night time only so that these should not be visible to naked eye. Apply at night time before sleeping.
I hope that the information will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to help.
"With healthy skin wishes"
Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)
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
Answered by
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