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What Causes Itching Sensation Along With Tiny Brown Spots On Back?
Question: I have what feels like something biting me, mostly on my back. After the biting feeling it itches for a short time. I also have pin-point brown spots that appear on my skin, on my upper arms and front of my chest. If I scratch them they get a crusty covering. I can't see if they are on my back so don't know if the pin-point spots are there or not. If I do not scratch the brown spots they disappear in a day or so. I also have very itchy scalp and use Selsun shampoo twice a week. I have noticed pin-point sized flecks from my scalp in the sink basin by the hundreds when rinsing my hair. During the past few months I have been losing an abnormally large amount of hair and the Dermatologist diagnosed it as being Alopecia but didn't give a reason for it. Thank you for any information you can give. One important bit of information I forgot to write. I also have what seems like something hatching out microscopic living organisms in my groin at times. I can't see anything but can feel the bumps. I go for a few weeks without anything and then they are back again. XXXXXXX XXXXXX
Brief Answer:
All points to dandruff as cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. Does not appear to be scabies. It presents with itching, more in the nights and in locations such as webs of fingers, toes and also in groins etc. It can spread to others surrounding you and no others are infected, so it is not scabies.
2. Dandruff appears to be the main problem, here, with flakes spreading all over the body leading to brown spots (possibly due to sebaceous gland block) and itching feeling on chest, upper arms and back too.
3. The area, where the flakes fall during bathing are the areas with most itching.
4. You need to
a. wash your hair atleast 2-3 times per week, if scalp and hair is oily, If dry, atleast 1-2 times per week. Increased oiliness or increased dryness, both can increases dandruff flakes.
b. Avoid flakes coming in contact with your body. You can bend or cover your body, so no flakes during washing or combing falls on your shoulders or any part.
c. If the present shampoo is not working, change it. You might be having reaction, which is causing increased flakes formation.
d. Improve nutrition. Specifically B-complex vitamins and Zinc. Malnutrition increases infection. Improve protein intake too.
e. Continue using ketoconazole shampoo. Wash your comb, after every combing. Keep one separately to avoid getting infection from others again.
f. Avoid using the same towel, used on scalp to rub the body. You will transfer flakes from head to whole body.
g. If possible use cold water or XXXXXXX warm water to clean scalp.
Alopecia, could be due to malnutrition or infection of the scalp and excessive rubbing. You would need to meet a trichologist, if hair fall to too high, to identify the cause.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
All points to dandruff as cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. Does not appear to be scabies. It presents with itching, more in the nights and in locations such as webs of fingers, toes and also in groins etc. It can spread to others surrounding you and no others are infected, so it is not scabies.
2. Dandruff appears to be the main problem, here, with flakes spreading all over the body leading to brown spots (possibly due to sebaceous gland block) and itching feeling on chest, upper arms and back too.
3. The area, where the flakes fall during bathing are the areas with most itching.
4. You need to
a. wash your hair atleast 2-3 times per week, if scalp and hair is oily, If dry, atleast 1-2 times per week. Increased oiliness or increased dryness, both can increases dandruff flakes.
b. Avoid flakes coming in contact with your body. You can bend or cover your body, so no flakes during washing or combing falls on your shoulders or any part.
c. If the present shampoo is not working, change it. You might be having reaction, which is causing increased flakes formation.
d. Improve nutrition. Specifically B-complex vitamins and Zinc. Malnutrition increases infection. Improve protein intake too.
e. Continue using ketoconazole shampoo. Wash your comb, after every combing. Keep one separately to avoid getting infection from others again.
f. Avoid using the same towel, used on scalp to rub the body. You will transfer flakes from head to whole body.
g. If possible use cold water or XXXXXXX warm water to clean scalp.
Alopecia, could be due to malnutrition or infection of the scalp and excessive rubbing. You would need to meet a trichologist, if hair fall to too high, to identify the cause.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
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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