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?
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Do you have such a discoloration on the other armpit or the back of your neck, too? Any family history of diabetes?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Bruising?
Been sick lately? Tired? Any other symptoms?
Posted by Phanto (Member # 5897) on :
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.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Hmmm.
If I were you I'd be thinking about going in for a checkup. Just, you know, in case.
Posted by Threads (Member # 10863) on :
How large/long is it?
Posted by Phanto (Member # 5897) on :
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.
Posted by Phanto (Member # 5897) on :
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.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Good luck with this. Please let us know how it works out, if you are okay with that.
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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.
Posted by Starsnuffer (Member # 8116) on :
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).
Posted by Phanto (Member # 5897) on :
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.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
*nods
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.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
The dermatologist says it's probably just inflammation/irritation and it should go away.
*is relieved*
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Thanks for the update, and good that you went! Posted by Phanto (Member # 5897) on :
No one is gladder than I at the diagnosis Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Yay!
And dude, good on you for getting it checked out. *high-five
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
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.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
It's some of the most frightening, certainly.
Posted by Starsnuffer (Member # 8116) on :
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.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
You know, there's a reason "most people" wouldn't suggest applying random acids and bases on your skin!
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Prudence?
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)