posted
Under my left armpit, there's a very light brownish stain, much like the distribution of a stain on a shirt after running or something similar. Sort of like a thin sweat stain on my skin itself.
It's faint but definitely there, and it's been around for about a week now.
I thought it was at first just there from perhaps a reaction to my deoderant. Or perhaps dirt. But rubbing didn't remove it.
Is this serious enough to see a doctor - or did anyone have anything similar?
Posts: 3060 | Registered: Nov 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Do you have such a discoloration on the other armpit or the back of your neck, too? Any family history of diabetes?
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've been out of it for the last week, sometimes feeling disoriented, but I attribute that to my rather hectic schedule. I don't think I've been as hungry recently as I should be logically, which I also attribute to stress.
No family history of diabetes. No other bruises.
Posts: 3060 | Registered: Nov 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
It's about 2-3 inches long. It's not a solid color or anything. If it doesn't go away, I'll probably see a dermatologist about it on Friday night.
Posts: 3060 | Registered: Nov 2003
| IP: Logged |
seems to be the exact problem. I'll just ping a friend of my family who's a dermatologist, and if it is common, should get this resolved quickly.
Posts: 3060 | Registered: Nov 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Good luck with this. Please let us know how it works out, if you are okay with that.
---
I was wondering about acanthosis nigricans of diabetes (usually symmetric, doesn't usually look exactly like that picture) or the herald patch (also doesn't have to look exactly like that) of pityriasis rosacea. If the latter, it would probably be scaling, and it would come before a "Christmas tree pattern" of other patches of skin on the back in about a week or so.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
It could be some chemical reaction (like if you get silver nitrate on yourself) you could try putting a little bleach, a little vinegar, just assorted acids and bases, of stuff that is always soluble, on it. Now I'm not suggesting you to go bathe in this or anything, or to splash high concentrations of chemicals all over you, just saying it might work (in the same way that IKI(I think) makes the stain from silver nitrate go away).
Posts: 655 | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
The acanthosis nigricans photo is almost exactly like what I have, except that the stain is several shades lighter. I just tried using salt water ont it, but nothing. Try vinegar later.
This is all rather unnerving.
Posts: 3060 | Registered: Nov 2003
| IP: Logged |
It can be much fainter than that, although I'd expect it to be on both sides (and likely would go with some element of obesity, even if no family history of diabetes). This is a discoloration that shows up in the folds of the skin and often looks like it could be washed off. One classic presentation is then a mom brings her kid in because "the back of his neck is always dirty, and I can't get it to wash off."
I think it'd be great if you have a friend trained in dermatology who can take a peek at it.
There are other things I'd think about, too, but they usually wouldn't first appear on an adult.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Starsnuffer: It could be some chemical reaction (like if you get silver nitrate on yourself) you could try putting a little bleach, a little vinegar, just assorted acids and bases, of stuff that is always soluble, on it.
This is about the weirdest advice I've seen put forth here.
Posts: 10397 | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I realized it was weird while saying it, but what sprang to mind when I read it was chemical stains... and I thought I'd offer a suggestion that I didn't think most people would... albeit weird. I hope you don't think I'm too weird now. Anyways, glad you know what it was(is?) now.
Posts: 655 | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
You know, there's a reason "most people" wouldn't suggest applying random acids and bases on your skin!
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
