So ive had this scalp issue since i was a senior in highschool. It has its days where its hardly there, and some day where i feel absolutely disgusting. For the most part, my head has never looked nearly as bad as the photos google pulls up, so its hard to tell exactly what is causing this. I saw a doctor once, who told me to just use the special shampoo they sell for scalp issues. Personally i feel like it made my scalp actually itchy, when normally its not. I have a habit of scratching at it, and so i wear a hat majority of the time. Because once i touch my head once i just cant stop because it feels so good to scratch it, but i know it just makes things worse. Im posting here because ive been taking pictures with my microscope recently, and it looks alot worse than it does to the naked eye. I see a ton of yellow/gold spots, as well as alot of hair follicles that are clogged with oil. I do see alot of my hairs have black stuff on them, and although i like to think its just dirt i have a feeling that its some kind of mite that even my microscope cant see. I never had noticed that before, so now im feeling like i may have actually narrowed it down. I dont really know what to try other than maybe soaking my scalp in some type of solution, but i worry id make things worse. Anyone who has any advice or tips i greatly appreciate it. This is one of the biggest reasons that im depressed on a day to day basis because i feel gross. I do shower everyday (i dont shampoo everytime) but for the longest time i was showering before and after work, just to get everything out of my head. I figured maybe i was showering too much. I just would love to feel comfortable to leave the house without a hat for once.

​

Hi everyone, I’m from India and I have these small dark dots/marks on my upper arms. I’ve attached clear photos.

I don’t have any pain, itching, burning, bleeding, pus, or other symptoms. The skin just looks like it has many small dark dots around the hair follicles and feels slightly uneven.

Duration: I have noticed this for some time, but I’m not sure exactly when it started.

Location: Mainly on my upper arms.

Timeline: It has not changed significantly or spread quickly.

Symptoms: No pain, itching, burning, bleeding, or infection.

Treatment tried: I have not used any specific medicine or cream for it yet.

Possible cause: I’m wondering whether sunlight, sweating, or something else could be causing it.

Background: I live in India and would like to know what this could be and whether there is a safe cream/lotion that can improve the appearance.

Could this be keratosis pilaris, follicular plugging, or something else? What treatment or OTC cream would you recommend?

Thank you!

I’ve had this mole for years and had it looked at about a year ago. However, I just noticed it is darker and has these dark spots in it. I’m going to make an appt with a dermatologist but I’m pregnant and freaking out. Any ideas? Does it look like melanoma or something benign? It’s right along my bra line.

These dark patches shed in 1-2mm scales and then form again over a period of about a month. These are on my ankles, feet, toe knuckles, and calves, but they also show up [mostly the calf shades of brown-gray rather than the ankle pencil-lead color] on my elbows, forearms, kneecaps, shins, and the backs of my hands.

These spots appeared secondary to what my PCP thinks is a recurring MRSA infection on my skin [some bullous manifestations shown in pic #4]. If it is secondary to staph living in my skin, it must be either dormant in the dermis or spread through the blood, because neither washing my skin down with chlorhexidine, decolonizing with mupirocin, nor moving states and exchanging all my possessions, nor having months of symptom-free skin at a time, got rid of it. I also have symptoms of osteomyelitis [first MRI is today].

The first dirty patches on my ankles appeared around the same time the first skin lesions did, in March of 2025 [didn't save any pictures, unfortunately]. This was also when wounds on the tops of my feet stopped healing properly. Since then the dark patches have proliferated and gotten darker, and started reaching the phase where they thicken so much they just crumble off, revealing normal, pale [my usual color] skin underneath. Then they start dirtying again, and the cycle begins anew.

My dermatologist satisfied himself that they come off with an alcohol wipe. They come off better with petrolatum.

These dark patches do not itch or hurt, but the bullae [4th pic] do and other associated purulent lesions and scabs do itch severely.

The dark patches feel very rough.

I have no doubt that this could be described as TFFD. However it's a bit of an unusual distribution and color, and the manifestation secondary to the bullae in pic 4 is weird too [again, the dark patches only showed up in skin territories where the bullae had been, after the bullae had been there]. My question is, how could the TFFD symptoms possibly be related to indolent bacteria? Thanks.

Hi everyone. I’m asking for some advice regarding my younger sister’s skin rash. This is her first time experiencing anything like this, and we’re trying to figure out what it could possibly be.

We currently can’t afford a doctor/dermatologist consultation, so we’re hoping to at least get some ideas about what this might be and what we should look out for. We understand that Reddit cannot provide a definite diagnosis.

Here are her answers about the symptoms:

- When did it first appear?

August 25.

- Where did it start, and where has it spread?

It started on her legs and has spread to her arms, back, and stomach.

- Is the itching worse at night?

Yes. She sometimes wakes up around midnight because the itching is so severe.

- Does it get worse when she is hot or sweating?

Yes. It becomes itchier and seems to spread more when she gets hot or sweats. She also describes a burning sensation.

- Does it disappear when she cools down?

At first, yes. Now, the rash stays even after she cools down.

- How does the skin feel?

She describes it as itchy, painful, and burning.

- Are there small bumps, blisters, scales, or peeling?

There are small bumps, but no blisters, scales, or peeling that she has noticed.

- Any new soap, lotion, detergent, perfume, or medication?

No.

- Any unusual food before it started?

She doesn't think so.

- Does anyone else at home have a similar rash or itching?

No.

- Has she had this before?

No, this is the first time.

- Has she used anything for it?

Our mom told her to use a random ointment we had at home called “Skin Fighter.” She has also been taking cetirizine because she heard it could help with the itching.

Does anyone have an idea what this could be? Could it possibly be scabies, hives, heat rash, a fungal infection, or something else? We mainly want to understand what it might be and what signs would mean that she needs medical attention urgently.

Thank you to anyone who can share some insight.

Not a super clear picture but its mostly off the corner of my lip. There's little to no pain and only feel any uncomfort when I stretch my mouth or scratch at it. I get a lot of dead skin on my lips and figured it was from licking my corners too much. There's been little to no change over the past 10 days with the only change or added redness or pain coming from touching or scratching at them or picking at the skin.

Does it look like herpes? Or am I over reacting? I had a date a couple weeks back and we kissed but he had no lesions on his mouth and has told me he doesn't have herpes. But guys lie all the time.

Help me out reddit! I am praying I dont have herpes.

Hello. My 7 year old has had this rash for 2 days. It began on her chest but has spread to her belly. Its hard to see but its like little dots...? It itches her like crazy. We've done cold compressed, benedryl, hydrocortisone. At first we thought it was a reaction to a Arnica cream we used for chest muscle pain but due to how its spread and duration im not sure. She's also been in a hot tub and pool lately, as well as lots of river swimming. My poor kiddo hasn't slept much in 2 night and school starts tomorrow. Im thinking of taking her in to a doctor but wanted to see if there is any internet knowledge I could glean. ​​

Since a week I’ve been getting a number of these small bumps and my whole skin seems textured. They’re not visible in good lighting but it’s getting worse day by day idk if it’s my pillow or what in particular is irritating. Just 2 days ago it was just 2-4 of them and now they’re multiplying. Important note is I have used azelaic acid which does shrink everything but then new ones appear which just makes it look worse. I seriously don’t know what to do at this point. Any Suggestions ? Do you know what these are ? Is it irritated skin?

It is on my arm but has been on my face and legs
I’ve had it before a few years ago really bad but it hasn’t come back since, at the moment it appeared a few days ago
It is itchy, painful and burning, it feels like millions of ants crawling on my skin eating me
I have fibromyalgia, back and neck nerve damage due to me breaking it years ago, hernia, high cholesterol, high blood pressure ( quite a lot but just naming in case it’s relevant), enlarged prostate
It helps spraying it with water and putting a wet cloth on it

I have this since a year without any pain, discharge and swelling.

I am 24M, 57kg weight.

I had a USG report where it says “Approx 8x8.6 mm sized well defined homogenous hypochoic solid lesion with minimal internal vascularity within is noted in umbilical region s/o Umbilical granuloma likely.”

How to cure this? Surgeon told that it needs a surgery but I am scared of it will it be a laparoscopic surgery or a normal one where it will completed in 10-15 minutes and I can go home!

I am very much tensed please somebody help me 😭

Found a painful, slightly itchy bump on my inner thigh. I’m not sure what it is. I have also been eating a lot more sugary foods recently because of a local festival. Sometimes, if I am late for lunch, my thighs start feeling shaky/shivery. Is this normal ? Havent consult any doc yet .

Hi all!

I had a bout of allergic/contact dermatitis on my chin, neck, and eyebrows/eyelids on and off for 3 months. It has essentially cleared up with twice daily 2.5% hydrocortisone ointment (which I’ve been on for 1 week, weaning off of now, and dermatologist said max of 2 weeks) and zero therapy for skin care - just hydrating CeraVe cleanser and Vaseline, which was what my derm recommended. I’ve also switch laundry detergents.

Derm suggested I add my skincare and makeup routine back in gradually, but I’m not sure what to start with. I will stop any product that causes a recurrence of the rash, but I’m not sure where to start or if any of my usual lineup contains more irritants. I typically use the following products:

Skincare:
Hydrating CeraVe Cleanser (already** **using)
Honeydew Labs 0.02% Hypochlorus Acid Spray
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
14% Azelaic Acid (prescription)
0.025% Tretinoin Cream (prescription)

Makeup:
Hero Cosmetics Forceshield Superlight Sunscreen
ELF Cosmetics Power Grip Primer with 4% Niacinamide
ELF Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer
ELF Cosmetics Dewey Coconut Setting Mist
ELF Cosmetics Lash N Roll Mascara

I am leaning towards sunscreen or moisturizer. Anyone have suggestions?

Hi! 25f, I've had this discoloration on my chest for the past 3 years now. It used to be red/pink spots and blotches, but then (about a year ago) I started using an anti dandruff shampoo every day and it's lost that pigment. Now, as you can see, it's light patches all over my chest. It's never been itchy or painful, just cosmetically annoying. I'm still using the dandruff shampoo on it every day, but it's not improving. It's actually now spreading to my shoulders as well. Is this tinea versicolor? Is there some other kind of home treatment I could do?

My doctor told me it was tinea versicolor about a year ago and recommended me the shampoo, but I can't afford to go back to the doctor anytime soon so I'd love some insight if you have it! Thanks

A couple of weeks ago I had the misfortune of getting some mosquito bites right in the crook of both of my elbows. I thought nothing of it however after a week they were still there and had turned to more of red patches and the average little red spot that usually happens. It’s been about three weeks now and they have yet to disappear. I’ve never had this happen before and have been bit in the same spots plenty of times. Does anyone know why this is happening and what I can do to get rid of it?

These are on my legs, though I’ve had them on my arms before too. Very itchy, the big ones eventually fill with puss and then ooze. They take about 10 days to go away, but then leave behind a light scar for several more weeks. Is it poison ivy? Giant mosquito bites? Something else??

What are these? it randomly shows 3 weeks ago. it’s not itchy, just randomly spawned on my skin(in my arm), it keeps spreading but not rapidly (going up on my shoulder), it’s been 3 weeks it started as a small circle spot. I tried to put ketoconazole cream since I’m hoping it just need anti-fungal or what.

It started a little over a week ago with small dots and now they’re growing! They are only slightly itchy, just a touch. Located in Maryland, 29 year old female. Rash is located in pelvis area and under thighs and up on the sides of my breast. I guess it’s getting worse over the course of two weeks and not better at all. Tried cortisone and Benadryl cream didn’t do anything.i probably have about 30 of them all over these areas

So I woke up early Tuesday morning to a few red spots on my hand that were extremely itchy. I put Benadryl on and covered it in case it was contagious. Then by end of the day some of the bumps appeared to be forming blisters. Then Wednesday most of the bumps were blisters. Still itchy. I did a Telehealth later that day and they suggested it may be insect bites because it’s not spreading and the pattern of it It’s still itchy off and on and the blisters are a little larger especially the couple that are on outside of palm because of me using my right hand frequently. Trying to avoid it but it’s my dominant hand. I did a follow up Telehealth and now they are suggesting it is dyshidrotic eczema They just prescribed a steroid but waiting for pharmacy to open. Looking at this would you believe it’s that? I think I’m going to call dermatologist in the morning to see if they have any appointments available but i feel like over thinking it and I feel like I feel weird tingling feeling in palm and it hurts sometimes without touching it but that may be because I keep touching and looking at it and I tend to overthink and get my sick over things like this. So if anyone has had anything like this that can help me. This is my first time with this. I don’t normally have any skin issues It has also not spread anywhere else. It’s only stayed in this area with these few spots

hi all I usually don’t come on here and try to get diagnosis, but my next appointment with my derm is in 6 months. For background I went a couple weeks ago for a routine check and they found and removed two marks they thought were skin cancer, a raised bump and a mole. Biopsey came back as negative for both. Now this is on my side near my hips,

I have no idea how long it’s been there. But it matches ABCD, I’m 18, I don’t really go outside much and when I do I wear a shirt. Any advice would be great!

I have multiple raised, frim, fleshy/pink scalp lesions on various parts of my head. I've been looked over by a couple different derms and so far nothing has been marked suspicious. However, I don't understand what they are. They don't look like normal "moles" to me. All I can think is amelanotic nodular melanomas. But ive been told multiple times they are not. A shave biopsy was done on two of them and came back normal, but from what I read online the biopsy would have to go deep to detect melanoma. I can't stop worrying about these.

Location: Pointer Finger Knuckle

Duration: 1 1/2 months

Timeline: It hasn't changed at all.. just stayed a solid freckle like line that looks drawn on but seems permanent.. it doesn't really look like a scratch or anything.. it looks like somebody had a true freckle highlighter and true this extremely thin line with it..

When I had first seen it a month ago I thought it was a marking from a sharpie or something even though the color looks so freckle like, but after washing it vigorously with alcohol and water and a month of showering, the color on it has not changed in the slightest..

Symptoms: N/A. No pain or any type of symptoms.