White spots?

Dear Dr. Jen,

I have white spots on my back. I’m beginning to look like a Dalmatian. My doctor has treated me with a medicated body wash and lotion a few weeks ago. But the spots are still around. How long does it take to get back to normal? I read that there’s no cream that can make white skin go back to its normal color.

Gemma

Dear Gemma,

Pityriasis versicolor or tinea versicolor, locally known as “ap-ap”, is easily treated with antifungal shampoos or creams.  Sweat and heat are common triggers to this fungal infection. Treatment takes two to three weeks to finish.  However, the white skin takes one to three months to go back to normal.

Recurrence of the infection is another thing.  To make sure that there is no fungal element left behind, a skin scraping can be done at any laboratory.  If there is fungus left behind, retreatment is necessary.

  Contrary to what you have read, there are a few products that can expedite re-pigmentation.  Products like tolenorm or oil of bergamot which are probably available at your nearest PDS dermatologist’s clinic are quite effective for bringing white spots back to your normal skin color.  If there is no hurry, you can opt for your color to naturally return, or do some sunbathing.

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Dear Dr. Jen,

I had some warts on my neck removed last year.  They seem to have returned. What medicine can I use to prevent the growth of new warts?  What makes them come back faster?  Is there an effective home remedy I can use?

Winston

Dear Winston,

Common warts on the neck can be either of two things: viral warts or skin tags.  If they are the infectious kind of warts caused by a virus, failure to remove each one can cause it to spread to other parts.

However, skin tags on the neck are usually the non-infections kind.  Skin tags or dermatosis papulosa nigricans (DPNs), are caused by several factors.  Genetics (check the necks of your parents or grandparents), friction, sun exposure, hormone elevation and obesity are some of these factors.  Being overweight can cause skin to rub against skin, creating friction and encouraging skin tags to grow.  Use of necklaces or tight-collared shirts may also be contributing factors.

Periodic removal via excision, cautery or liquid nitrogen can be done.  Avoiding frequent use of collared tops or necklaces will also help.  Sunscreen use can help prevent but will not eliminate it. Sadly, there is no cream that can treat it nor is there a cream that can inhibit growth of skin tags.

Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH). For information on PDS, check http://www.pds.org.ph/. For questions or concerns, please text to: 0932 857 7070; or email to: [email protected]; or call The Freeman: (032) 2531276, or PSH: (032) 233 8620 and 232 5929. Your inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.