odd health question

[akane]

I don't know who to ask about this seeing as I have no friends so I'll put it to you guys. I have this tan line along my arm only it's not where any clothes would make a tan line and it's not smooth. The tanned area is mottled. In the pic without flash you can see how it's started to curve down my arm and it's also gone up over my elbow joint now. It started as just a small odd spot that wasn't losing tan with the rest of my body as winter hit. My mom just suffered skin cancer so I'm wondering if I should see a doctor or if it's just my weird mixed background with native american thrown in?

It's a lot darker than the flash shows. Almost black. It looks like dirt at first.

I feel nothing wrong though. It's not itchy or anything. My arm doesn't ache. It's just oddly colored and getting worse.

 

[Mickey328]

I suspect it's something with pigmentation rather than anything catastrophic, but I'm no doc. If it were me, I'd probably just put it on my list of things to ask about next time I see the doc. I tend to only go rarely, so I save up all those questions for once. I wouldn't make a specific appt for it...but that's me.

 

[Miss M]

That was my thought, too, was that it was a pigmentation thing.

What I would do is take the question to a good pharmacist. They have much of the same training as a GP. A pharmacist would probably be able to tell you outright whether it was pigmentation or something you should see a doctor about, as long as the law and pharmacy rules allow him to.

I've been able to get information on lots of things from pharmacists. Most recently, I asked one why you are supposed to take Prilosec OTC for two weeks, with months in between treatments, when my uncle was just told to take it indefinitely.

Turns out, they want you to make sure your discomfort isn't from something more sinister than reflux, like cancer or something. He said as long as my husband has been diagnosed (via scope) with something like GERD, he could continue taking Prilosec.

I went to another pharmacist once, who confirmed that the swelling on my eye was a stye, and came out and helped me find medicine for it.

I read an article recently about pharmacists and all the training they get. Apparently, many pharmacists feel like they could help people so much more, but people have no idea what a resource they are, so they don't ask.

 

[Mickey328]

It depends on the pharmacy and the pharmacist too...if you can access a good old fashioned "drug store" rather than a pharmacy in a big place like a supermarket or WalMart, you are much more likely to fine a pharmacist who is knowledgeable and willing to help.

Which is your "normal" skin color, akane...the darker or the lighter? I was reading where exposure to some drugs like antibiotics or silver salts can cause a change in pigmentation.

 

[Jack]

Skin stuff can be a sign of some really bad crap (liver cancer actually would be one that could fit, an odd and not common sign)
Or
USUALLY nothing, freckles that haven't faded...
if you are concerned, look it up online, call your Doc, usually they will take a message, and either call you or have a nurse call you if they think it's something.
Pharmacist actually isn't bad, and there are meds that can cause hyper-pigmentation.

 

[akane]

My skin tone varies depending on season. My european background makes it ivory white anywhere the sun doesn't directly touch and the end of winter. Even my underarms barely tan. However my native american side makes it so I can tan nearly black in direct sunlight and by the end of summer. I tan slightly more red but my sister has actually made black. Her bf was a lifeguard one summer and she really looked like a black person with european features. Needless to say tan lines are a pain. I always have a series of tan lines from elbow across shoulders depending what I've been wearing and across my feet from wearing different sandals since it only takes one afternoon. The picture with the flash is probably slightly darker than most of my current skin but it washed out most of the odd pigmentation that is nearly black.

 

[CWD]

I would go see a Doctor.
Your health could be at risk.
Not to sound like a worry wart. I saw my Dr. because I fell and I had a pulled muscal in the back of my shoulder
that never stopped throbbing. He sent me in for some tests. 2 weeks latter I had a quadruple by-pass operation, and 3 other operations on my heart over the next 7 months.
I no longer take any health issue for granted.

I am not saying it is anything, but you never know.
better safe than sorry.

 

[Marinea]

From WebMD:

Hyperpigmentation in skin is caused by an increase in melanin, the substance in the body that is responsible for color (pigment). Certain conditions, such as pregnancy or Addison's disease (decreased function of the adrenal gland), may cause a greater production of melanin and hyperpigmentation. Exposure to sunlight is a major cause of hyperpigmentaion, and will darken already hyperpigmented areas.

Hyperpigmentation can also be caused by various drugs, including some antibiotics, antiarrhythmics, and antimalarial drugs.

Melasma
An example of hyperpigmentation is melasma (also known as chloasma). This condition is characterized by tan or brown patches, most commonly on the face. Melasma can occur in pregnant women and is often called the "mask of pregnancy;" however, men can also develop this condition. Melasma frequently goes away after pregnancy. It can also be treated with certain prescription creams (such as hydroquinone).

If you have melasma, try to limit your exposure to sunlight. Use a strong sunscreen (SPF 50 or higher) at all times, because sunlight will worsen your condition. Sunblocks containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are also helpful might be messy.

Consult with your doctor before treating the condition yourself

 

[akane]

We consulted my husband's brother who is a doctor although an orthopedic surgeon and he gave it some complicated name and said it's classic of diabetes. Which runs on both sides of my family and is a side effect of one of my meds. So we are calling my doctor for a fasting blood test.

 

[fuzzy9]

Good luck with everything, akane! Hope you get everything figured out soon.

 

[Miss M]

I'm glad you're getting it looked into!

 

[akane]

Here is what he called it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthosis_nigricans . I found it by searching for diabetes hyperpigmentation. I'm pretty sure I have polycystic ovary syndrome so it may just be that which is "treated" by being on birth control pills. I am already because of the symptoms I was having. Despite my husband's vasectomy. That's why we say if I get pregnant we are going to start believing in god. I'm on the strongest bcp and he had a perfect vasectomy with 0 sperm count.

 

[catfishingpokey]

looks like a strange case of farmers tan to me.but it wouldnt have a strange texture.so i dont know.

 

[Miss M]

That was an interesting read... glad you've got a direction to go in now!

 

[akane]

So it's most likely not diabetes, although they will test for it, cause it's in the wrong location. However it is an endocrine problem so I have blood work and a mri of my pituitary gland on Friday. If that fails to show anything we are probably writing it off as being caused by the hormones in my birth control pills. I'm actually hoping they find something. I've been put through so many tests and on so many meds for my insomnia without anyone looking in to the cause and then I had all that weight gain and this tachycardia that no one can find a cause for after 5 specialists. I want them to find something on my pituitary gland so they can remove it and life can be normal. Instead of sitting on here at 5am like I was this morning because my insomnia pills gave out on me again and I'm having to try new ones.

 

[Marinea]

(hugs) I hope things get better for you really soon.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

Wow, yes, a VERY interesting read-- and explains something about my ex-husbands pigmentation! familial tendencies, as well. I'll have to let my kids know!!!

 

[akane]

So they took an mri of my pituitary gland and drained me of half my blood only to find nothing. On paper I look like the healthiest person alive which is why they keep sending me to a psychiatrist and telling me it's in my head. Meanwhile I'm taking 3 capfuls of pills a night to keep my hormones and insomnia in check. I could stop birth control and something would likely show up but there's no way I want to deal with the symptoms of pcos long enough. All the acne, giant cysts, stiff muscles, dry skin.... I guess I continue like this. There's a new insomnia med coming out in the fall that may solve all my sleeping problems.

 

[MaggieJ]

I guess in one way it is good they found nothing wrong, but it sure must be frustrating not to have any answers. I hope the new insomnia medication gives you some relief when it comes out.

 

[Frecs]

Akane, I am glad your pituitary is fine but sorry that you don't have answers.

I hesitate to mention this as I don't want to sound like one of those "do I have a miracle cure for YOU!" type of person. I'm actually into week three of an "experimental" diet (experimental because I have pieced it together from various sources rather than reading a particular diet book or because I'm part of a research study or something) to address hormonal issues -- thyroid, adrenal, etc. So far, it is working wonders for me but others I've read online have not had has great a response or as quickly.

The starting point in my research (so you can google them) was Dr. Lila Lee (Pro-Thyroid Diet) which lead to Dr. Ray Peat. Then, I expanded into the Weston A Price Foundation.... I'd be happy to send you details of what I'm doing by email if you wish.