I have persistent dry, black rash on neck. What could it be?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 19-year-old male. I am active and never had any serious condition of unhealthiness. As a part of the ongoing project, I had to work for almost 14 days in the burning hot sun. When I returned home, I identified white spots on my face and quickly searched the internet for a narrow down of the condition. Thanks to this site. I have identified it as tinea versicolor and used an OTC Clotrimazole ointment and it faded away in less than a week.

Just after that, my friends pointed out a rash on my neck and I thought it was probably the same as my previous infection. It was white and looked like a fungal infection with four small patches. And so I applied the same cream. Unfortunately, I could observe no change and kept trying home remedies like turmeric and honey paste, etc. It has now come to look black and dry as in the attached image. There is no sensation whatsoever at all. I only know it is there when I place my hand over it.

Please, can you help me identify what it is? I have already looked at a lot of conditions and was unable to match them with mine. It is been almost six months and it looks like one has faded and the other three have mated.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have seen the pictures. (attachment removed to protect patient identity). The condition in the picture is not tinea versicolor at the moment. This is skin thickening as a result of allergy to sun exposure. This is quite common in the neck area. You must use a good quality sunscreen till the allergy resolves completely. As such it is not something you should get scared for as most of the sun allergies resolve on their own.

You should apply mild topical steroid cream like Desonide cream application at night only over the patch (for not more that 14 days). SPF 50+ sunscreen every three to four hours (throughout the day time). Eat lots of carrots and papaya as they have beta carotene which will protect you from sun allergies internally. Follow up after seven days for assessing the improvement of the treatment.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.