dark, dry spots on skin

Sorry I didn't realize I couldn't put a link in my comment.

What I found I have are scaly crusty raised spots on my skin. It is not large areas just weird spots from very small to as large as a dime. It is called Actinic Keratosis. It is a condition from too much sun of course. I am a baby boomer and loved the sun. We didn't use sun block back then and would just bake in the sun. The problem with this type of condition it is the first step in the development of skin cancer. OMG! Isn't everything now a days. Anyway all mine are still normal and have had a few removed because of depth and size. So something to watch and I won't ignore anything. I thought all this time it was just what they call old age spots but glad now I went to get them checked out.

Have you seen any progress?? I've had these spots for almost two months now my arms, stomach, breast and back is covered with them. I went to see my physician and at first she tried to just tell me that it was eczema.. after telling her that it runs in my family and i am more than positive that its not she than said it was "Pityriasis rosea" after I told her about this blog i came across . I'm Going to go see another physician tomorrow to actually have more than a visual inspection done because this is beyond irritating.. I've been using pure aloe Vera gel, aveeno skin relief and no progress what so ever.

I have to mention that what I have "actinic keratosis" mine are just spots and do not resemble a rash. They are spots that are not close together or size and random all over my body and more in the sun exposed areas. I looked up the diagnosis your doctor gave you, "pityriasis rosea" and what I have does not resemble that at all. My spots are not red but medium brown to tan , they are scaly, dry and slightly raised. The ones removed were darker and not as dry but becoming more like a mole. The doctor said it is skin damage from repeat exposure to UV rays or sun. Eventually my body could not repair the skin that was damaged. It is scarring basically that changes the cells which can lead to cancer cells developing. I had before used every lotion I could find but it would soften them for a few hours then they just dried out again. I now use a lotion with alpha hydroxy at night and then after a shower baby oil.. That has reduced the dryness the best so far. Best to go to a dermatology website because they go into more detail with pictures of different skin problems. Even what I have can look different depending on the stage it is in. I do recommend getting a second opinion anytime your not quite sure the diagnosis is right. Good luck and post what you find out I like to hear if your doing better. : )

I didn't read through all the replies, but I've been dealing with the same thing, on and off, since I was about 17... (~10 years, ugh). Maybe it's my fear of waiting rooms/doctor's offices, but I've never gone to a doc to have it looked at. I've done some pretty extensive research though, and it sounds like you've got the same prob... Which I believe is technically a yeast infection on the skin... a.k.a. Candida. It's a fungus we all have in our GI tract, but some people are prone to imbalances (just like some women are prone to vaginal yeast infections). Google it, and you'll read all sorts of remedies, cures, etc. some people react better to certain methods. I've found a few things that work: taking Pure Oregano Oil Extract in gelcap form (known as nature's antiseptic); anti-fungal creams (lotrimin, etc), which I saw were already suggested; tea tree oil (you can use castille soaps or other body washes that include this), and probiotics. Supposedly, probiotics are the best (realistic) approach; Even if used properly, anti-fungal creams are steroids... and the fungus may develop a resistance. A less realistic approach is the candida diet... Look it up just for the info, but it involves cutting out all foods that are broken down to simple sugars in the body, as they're a super-food to the fungus (anything including breads, sugar, cheese, milk, grains, dough products, most processed foods... Essentially it's a "raw-organic diet"... One last method that seemed to work, but started to burn my skin, was a Selsun Blue "mask"- generously apply Selsun Blue (specific type, I forget which). Leave the shampoo on the affected areas for 5-15 minutes... It'll sting, but if you're planning on showing a lot of skin on vacation, this seems to *temporarily clear up the rash the quickest! The skin rash develops when you sweat... yeast your body pushes out in sweat takes over any "hole" in the skin; you might notice the rash forming wher you've cut yourself... or in hair follicles causing whiteheads, or over time, moles). Exact triggers are unknown and the fungus manifests itself in other ways other than a rash... Feeling foggy-headed, tired (especially after meals), etc? That's the fungus overgrowth in your system stealing your body's nutrients. Hope this helps...

I've had these dark spots almost like blotches on my skin but with no irritation or itching. My Doc prescribed Nizoral which is a  tablet you take one a day for 10 days. After about a month my skin had pretty much cleared up.

I have a fungal infection that comes and goes that sounds the same. I used Selsun Blue Shampoo. I apply it on my skin and let it dry. Keep it on for 15 mins or so then rinse. It takes a few days but it works every time. It is the the Selenium in the shampoo that gets rid of the fungus. It can also be prescribed and applied the same as the shampoo. Hope this helps!

I have those too I went to my doctor and she said they are dry patches. She said to moisturize every day morning and night. I use cream that's actually for feet, but it works pretty well though.  

I s anyone else finding them really itchy? I have had them on my right side of my body along the waist for years now.. and now on mu left and it is driving me insane! It is starting to go out of control and down the side of my lower waist. Starting to itch on legs and back for a few months now. I notice they really itch when I shower and when I have hot showers the most. Aquagenic Pruritus this could be.

This sound like a STD

Hey I've looked last some pictures of what a guy said a little further down in the comments (the guys mums a nurse or something) and I looked it up and found mine are not spreading St all like others are? Mine started out as 2 at the same time and had them about a week or 2 now ut the pictures show of others that have the same skin problem or whatever you wanna call it, mine are much darker, smaller and more wrinkly I guess? Could anyone suggest if it is something else snd if so, what!? :)

What cream was it

...I'm also experiencing a similar predicament...I used to have them for a few months...buh they cleared up...now they're back...now I'm using this anti fungal cream called Canalba cream...I don't know if you guys have it around your area...buh the main problem is that it's a fungal problem...normally trusted manufacturers of anti-fungal cream do justice to remove them...if you're avoiding doctors...then it's likely you should use the cream that contains clotrimazole mainly...otherwise...a doctor might know the cause and diagnose you...

I have had these things and they refered to them as crustations....they are light brown on me and vary in size and shapes but around bra hook bottoms and always on my side or back in that area....not nice but not painful just kind of itchy but ugly!  ...dermatologists spray them with a freezing type of spray...you leave them alone and they just dry up and fall off.  Some times I get new ones ...I have had them when young and older....no they were not even tested for cancers etc by the dermatologists  they knew them just by looking...just sprayed once and couple weeks gone....  If they had not totally gone away they would have just sprayed them a second time.

 

I had this and it spread All over my torso. Doctors r a bunch of bull.. It's trail n error.. Your their experiment! I used tea tree oil and AFRICAN octagon soap. Hast been back since.

where do I find the African octagon soap....thank you very much.....these dark spots driving me nuts would appreciate it