Dark spots

Dear Dr. Jen,

What are these dark spots on my arms?  They are brown and look like giant freckles.  I have a lot of freckles on my face. They have gradually gotten more in number.  What causes them and what is the best treatment for them?

Liz

Dear Liz,

The ability to freckle can run in some families.  The face, neck, shoulders, chest and arms are likely to freckle more.  You can also have freckles on your legs too.  This is caused by cumulative sun exposure, all those sunburns and tans you might have gotten throughout the years. Some freckles join together and expand to flat, brown spots.  These are called sun spots or solar lentigos.

While sunscreen can help prevent new ones, existing brown spots have to be treated by bleaching creams, chemical peels or lasers.

Depending on the depth of the sun spots, some superficial freckles can fade away with religious use of bleaching agents. For faster results, chemical peels can also be availed of regularly.  For fastest results, laser treatments may be performed.  Some sun spots also respond to spraying with liquid nitrogen.  So many modalities are available now.  Best to see your PDS derma and ask about which procedures fit your deadline, your schedule and your budget.

Dear Dr. Jen,

I have dry skin at the sides of my mouth.  It stings when I open my mouth too wide. It comes and goes.  Lip balm doesn’t seem to help.  Please let me know what I can apply on it.

Tina

Dear Tina,

Dry skin at the sides of the mouth can be exacerbated by food (if you are allergic to some particular ones) or from frequent lip licking or from use of a lip product that you are allergic to.  This can develop from an allergy, and later on to a yeast infection.

The candida specie is usually found in the angles of the lips from a chronic lip dermatitis. First order of business is to stop lip-licking.  There are several forms of anti-fungal ointment that can be ingested orally.  This can be applied twice a day for a few days to weeks. Don’t apply any of your old lip products as they may contain the yeast too.  Start with a new set of lip balm, one that is basic (without flavors and colors) or you can even just use petroleum jelly.

Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with the Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH). Information on PDS is at www.pds.org.ph. Questions or concerns regarding the skin may be sent by text to 0932 857 7070 or emailed to [email protected]; or coursed thru The Freeman – (032) 2531276, or thru PSH – (032) 2338620 and 2325929. Inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.