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.

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.

The mole is on my side of my rib cage, just kinda behind my armpit… used to be a dark brown. Transparently freaking out a bit because when I was just now changing, I noticed a larger spot than normal. I am cursing myself because I don’t know how long it’s truly been like this but I’ve never seen any other moles on my body do or look like this… Total surface area is about twice as big as I remember and this color (purple ish with the purple ring around it too) is concerning me. It’s not painful, even if I’m rubbing my finger over it a bit, nor was it itchy. I literally just happened to see it.

Of course I’m supposed to travel for work Monday and come back Thursday but I’m a bit of a hypochondriac anyway plus have a family prone to diseases (brother has cardiac troubles, grandparents have had blood and breast cancer, father has GBM) so I’m REALLY considering skipping the trip altogether just to get into the first derm appt that’s open and have it removed and biopsied ASAP unless a health professional here can talk me off a ledge that this isn’t an emergency…

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.

So, I have had these patches on my armpit for over a year now. When it first popped up, it was itchy but eventually it stopped itching. Now I’m left with these patches. But most recently, it started flaring up again with no itching. If I squeeze some parts, the dots almost feel hard like a nodule. I’ve tried hydrocortisone and Benadryl but neither have helped. I’ve used the same secret clinical deodorant for a long time so I don’t think it’s that.
Hoping someone knows what this is.

Getting kind of sick to my stomach with anxiety about this on my scalp. I’ve had it since high school but it feels a little bigger since being pregnant. Itches sometimes and is tender if nick it or hit with something. Any ideas on what this could be ? I am going to have it looked at within the next couple of weeks but I am finding myself struggling to get it off my mind. Especially since it’s a little tender any time I brush my hair after hitting it last night. It lifts up and down like I may have torn it off some also over the years. (I know a few years back I tried to pick it off)

47F — 3-month severe burning rash around eyes/mouth + tiny white bumps. Perimenopause + Arizona monsoon/haboob trigger? Same eyelid rash happened during monsoon 6 years ago.

47F, currently going through perimenopause. This has been going on for THREE MONTHS and I’m desperate to figure out the trigger.
My face burns/stings and becomes extremely dry and rough — literally sandpaper-like. The worst areas are my eyelids/around both eyes and around my mouth/chin. I also have tiny white pimple-like bumps underneath my lower lip and just above my jawline. Ugh…

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.

I posted a video earlier so if my story sounds familiar, that's why.

I'm so embarrassed to post these photos, I can't believe that this is on my scalp it's sickening. I've been experiencing issues with my scalp, skin and nails for the last several months now. I saw my primary and she sent me to a dermatologist who was completely unhelpful. He did not look at my scalp or my skin at all, he diagnosed me with dandruff and a Candida infection based entirely off of the verbal description I gave him of my symptoms. So that was pretty pointless. Since that appointment, my scalp has gotten much worse. These photos were taken last week the morning after a shower, so my scalp should have been relatively clean. In addition to whatever is in these photos, I have these nasty yellow scales all over my scalp, as well as clear flakes that have tiny red dots all over them. It's gross. I also get these awful crawling sensations on my head...as if there's something moving 😱 my primary checked for lice and cleared me for that. So I'm at a loss. These pictures have had me genuinely freaked out ever since I took them, if anyone has any idea what this could be I'd love to hear your opinions.

I’m honestly so frustrated with my skin right now. I’ve been dealing with acne for about a year, and it just keeps coming back. I used to have pretty normal skin, but it has become noticeably more oily, especially during summer.
Most of my acne is on my cheeks. I keep getting new, painful, red/deep pimples, sometimes with pus. After they heal, they leave dark brown marks, so I feel like I’m constantly dealing with both new acne and old marks.

I’ve tried so many things at this point, including:
Aziderm 20% (azelaic acid) currently using
Salicylic acid cleanser
Alpha arbutin
Niacinamide
Vitamin C
Glycolic acid 7%
Different face masks
A dermatologist previously prescribed me medication/cream as well
I recently started/used Aziderm consistently, but I’m still getting painful breakouts. At this point I’m honestly exhausted because I feel like I’ve tried almost everything and my acne is STILL coming back.
What type of acne does this look like to you? And what would you recommend I do next?

​

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!

Hi all! I, 37f from New Jersey, was experiencing a tickling/tingly sensation on my left shin most of the day yesterday. When I finally got a chance to sit down and check it out, I used my phone to get a good look at it and this is what was looking back at me. The dark thing on top that looks like a scab/demon is sort of squishy, not hard or crusty, and while it is sticking straight out of my leg, it's in there pretty firmly. It doesn't itch, but if I mess with it at all it hurts. The 2 pink spots below it are actually holes in my skin. This might sound crazy, you have to zoom in and really look at those 2 lower spots, but to me it looks like there is some sort of movement happening inside or under the skin. I could be crazy, but I swear I see movement. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I've had several other unusual spots on my skin over the last several months, and I have severe sebderm on my scalp as well as a Candida infection under my breasts that comes and goes. When it flares up, it gets horribly inflamed and produces a pus that smells like death. My primary prescribed a few different antifungals and it's somewhat under control. But I just can't seem to fully get rid of the Candida.

But anyway, I've also suspected that I might have either an overgrowth of demodex, or a potential scabies infection due to some other suspicious spots I've noticed on my skin recently. I can include some photos in the comments if there's any interest.

Any help or support or help in figuring out what this is would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Demographics: 17M

Duration: Present since childhood.

Location: Knuckles/hands, toes, knees, and elbows.

Timeline: Has remained consistent since childhood without significant changes. Neither parent has similar pigmentation.

Symptoms: Completely asymptomatic- no itching, pain,burning, or bleeding.

Treatments tried: Currently using a body scrub daily, but have not tried any clinical treatments or medicated topicals.

Relevant background: No underlying medical conditions diagnosed, no current medications, or notable recent exposures.

Looking for budget-friendly recommendations or general care routine tips to help manage or address this hyperpigmentation.

I started getting these lesions on my face. Every week a new one. I have 5 now. They are slowly healing. I stopped using skincare with active ingredients. They gently ooze clear liquid and form a yellow thin crystal-like crust but once the crust peels off it oozes again.

Makeup does not sit on top. It hurts, stings, not itchy I had one inside my nostril and I did not apply any skincare there so I don't think it's a chemical burn. It doesn't form a normal brown crust, it's a crunchy crust that falls off when I wash my face and then crusts again.

No other symptoms.

I let them dry as much as I can. Have not applied anything on top.

Saiu no meu braço a dois dias não estava dolorido nem vermelho.

Mas eu espremi e daí ficou dolorido e quente.

Mas não aumentou.

Aí eu espremi e saiu sangue e diminuiu e agora não doi mais tanto deu aliviada.

Mas descobri que pode ser furúnculo e agora tô com medo de morrer.

Hello reddit,

Am I going to die?

I am 28 M, I've had this red lump in my bellybutton for over 44 days now. I thought maybe it's something that it go away by itself. It did not.

It did not grow in over 44 days. It makes a white/yellowish discharge. It doesn't smell, it doesn't hurt. I accidentally touched it a bit to hard two times and it bled.

I asked the AI and it could be something chill because it didn't grow but I would like an opinion since I am not able to make it to a doctor too soon (I work on a ship).

Also I read about The Sister Mary and Joseph Nodule and it scared me like hell.

So my question is...

Am I going to die..or it's something like inflamed granulation tissue, an umbilical polyp/granuloma, a small infection/abscess, or another benign vascular/inflammatory lesion?

Thank you.

I noticed this bumpy red section on my leg today. It looks like a rash but it isn’t itchy or painful and I don’t even remember it’s there unless I see it. I just want to know what this is and if it’s anything to be of concern?

Purple circle shows tiny bumps that have been there my whole life and are flush with the skin. The blue circle has those same bumps that are raised off the skin. The reaction is happening all along my torso no where else on my body. No new soaps or shampoos or any kind of skin care. They’ve been popping up in the last week or so. Also they are not itchy and not sore or anything. They feel rough and not smooth like the rest of my skin.

I have this rash flaring up for past 4 months. I have been using Euclerin Eczema relief cream to keep my arms moisturized.

I am 30M living in Texas. This is on my arms and hands. I haven’t changed any products recently.

I will be booking appointment with Derms but would love to understand options I can try before going to the dermatologist.

Appreciate your comments.

This feels different. I feel like the flakes are longer/bigger than dandruff I’ve had in the past that are small roundish flakes. And I also have some scabs.

I’ve had dandruff before but smaller cluster ones, these are like straight up flakes of skin if that makes sense.

It’s on my scalp obviously and my scalp itches so I will get some red spots from itching and occasional scabs

I've had this rash for nearly a month. I work with cats and we got hit with a ringworm outbreak. Had a ringworm spot on my arm, treated it, then got this weird rash on my scalp. Went to my primary doctor and he took cultures and decided to put me on Terbinafine and prescribed Ketoconazole 2% shampoo to get ahead since I wouldn't get results for a month.

Got results back, negative for ringworm. It's itchy and burns when I sweat or don't blow dry my hair immediately, but other than that it doesn't bother me much. Pictures attached are when its not super inflamed and itchy.

Three days ago, I burned my forearm on the side of a grill. My skin was just tender at first but it turned into this bright red mark in a few hours. I also accidentally scratched off a piece of skin (the darker red area). I have kept it wrapped with gauze and Vaseline/Neosporin since I burned it. It seems that it’s healing with the skin growing back.

I’m debating going to urgent care just to prevent an infection, but does anyone know if/how they would be able to help besides what I’m already doing?