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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think these look like cigarette burns? Photo attached

31 replies

Connected1 · 06/03/2025 20:12

I know they're not, but they're same size and shape.
They've started appearing randomly on my arms legs and stomach. Always circular and red.
They don't hurt (much) and if I scratch them the skin can turn white and flakey.

Does anyone have any ideas of what might be causing them?

To think these look like cigarette burns? Photo attached
OP posts:
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Endofyear · 06/03/2025 23:21

It looks like guttate psoriasis to me. Have you had a throat infection in the last few weeks? This can trigger it. Go and see your GP, they can prescribe treatment.

Qwee · 06/03/2025 22:56

My husband has had psoriasis for many years and it can be linked to stress, those prone to sore throats.

Reducing dairy, red meat and alcohol have massively reduced inflammation.

Sea swimming and saunas work wonders too.
Turmeric, ginger shots in the morning with hot water first thing, are an great anti inflammatory boost.

Its an awful condition.

Neveranynamesleft · 06/03/2025 22:52

An allergy of some sort ?

Qwee · 06/03/2025 22:49

StMarie4me · 06/03/2025 21:57

@Qwee
Sorry, please don't take this the wrong way....

Sore throats can proceed it?

The word here is precede it. Not proceed it.

Sorry. I'm also the person that tells someone of their skirt is caught in their knickers. And I teach English.

Sorry.

Typing in a rush!

Original poster
Connected1 · 06/03/2025 22:36

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 06/03/2025 21:52

I would want to rule out skin cancer

I should have mentioned in my 1st post that they do heal up eventually so I don't think they're anything sinister.

They just keep popping up in different places!

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 06/03/2025 22:01

Bog standard Psoriasis looks like that at the first stages of a flare. A dab of steroid usually sorts it for both me and DP, unless it's in my hair where I use a steroid liquid instead and wash with T-Gel until it clears up again. He, fortunately, is not troubled by it in his hair anymore...

StMarie4me · 06/03/2025 21:57

@Qwee
Sorry, please don't take this the wrong way....

Sore throats can proceed it?

The word here is precede it. Not proceed it.

Sorry. I'm also the person that tells someone of their skirt is caught in their knickers. And I teach English.

Sorry.

Candleabra · 06/03/2025 21:55

Ramblingaway · 06/03/2025 20:35

Have a look a guttate psoriasis - I think that's the name for it when it's in small spots, not large plaques. My brother used to get it after strep throat infections.

I’ve had this. Looked a bit like chickenpox. Usually on the truck, rarely affects the extremities (hands, face and feet).

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 06/03/2025 21:52

I would want to rule out skin cancer

Commendatore · 06/03/2025 21:43

Connected1 · 06/03/2025 20:54

Thank you, I googled that and the pics look very severe!
Mine is just the odd one here and there but I'll bear in mind that it could spread and try a steroid cream on it.

Show quote history

I agree, when you Google it, those are really severe cases, but a few spots of psoriasis look just like your pic.

Whatisthisbs · 06/03/2025 21:35

Google Bowens disease and check the images to see if they're similar

TheSeaOfTranquility · 06/03/2025 21:14

I get something very similar! It starts off as a small, itchy red patch which spreads outward to 5 - 10 mm wide, red around the circumference and pale in the centre. I can lift (gross TMI alert) a disc of very dry, thin, translucent skin off with my fingernails - extremely satisfying, but then the edges start bleeding. The patches last for weeks if I do this, so I have to create a physical barrier with a plaster to stop myself doing it, and then they heal quite quickly.

I tend to get them in areas of friction eg under my bra strap and on my hips where the seam of my underwear and jeans rub.

I asked a doctor about them once and she thought it was probably eczema.

Original poster
Connected1 · 06/03/2025 20:54

Commendatore · 06/03/2025 20:39

That’s guttate psoriasis. I would get it treated quickly before it gets any worse. I have this and a few days in the sun quickly sorts it out (although admittedly I do also use topical steroids to treat it too)

Thank you, I googled that and the pics look very severe!
Mine is just the odd one here and there but I'll bear in mind that it could spread and try a steroid cream on it.

OP posts:
Commendatore · 06/03/2025 20:39

That’s guttate psoriasis. I would get it treated quickly before it gets any worse. I have this and a few days in the sun quickly sorts it out (although admittedly I do also use topical steroids to treat it too)

SpaceChocolatel · 06/03/2025 20:36

I had pityriasis rosacea too which then developed into something like this. The patches start like that and then sort of expand to look a bit like ringworm, but it's not that. Drs and dermatologists are largely unhelpful, so I just delt with it like eczema since then. Bit of hydrocortisone if they get sore calms them down. Keeping well hydrated, and moisturise every day keeps it at bay. Aveeno moisturiser in particular. Alcohol and too much sun makes it flare up.

Ramblingaway · 06/03/2025 20:35

Have a look a guttate psoriasis - I think that's the name for it when it's in small spots, not large plaques. My brother used to get it after strep throat infections.

Original poster
Connected1 · 06/03/2025 20:29

Qwee · 06/03/2025 20:27

Agreed.
Have you been very stressed recently?
As this can trigger it.
Sore throats can proceed it?

Show quote history

I'm not stressed - at least I don't think so!

OP posts:
Qwee · 06/03/2025 20:27

Cheepcheepcheep · 06/03/2025 20:20

I can see and it looks a lot like how my psoriasis started.

Agreed.
Have you been very stressed recently?
As this can trigger it.
Sore throats can proceed it?

WelshPool · 06/03/2025 20:26

Connected1 · 06/03/2025 20:20

Thank you, I looked that up but mine heal up after a while so I don't think it's them.
Were you able to see the photo? Some people are saying they can't but it's visible to me.

Show quote history

I get them, they also heal. They come and go all over the body.

Original poster
Connected1 · 06/03/2025 20:25

Gymrabbit · 06/03/2025 20:15

Do you have a bigger one too? I remember jokingly referring to it as a mother ship and it basically is.
if so it’s called pityriasis roses.

No bigger one, just small cigarette sized ones.
But I did have pityriasis rosacea myself about 10 years ago

OP posts:
Wafflesandsyrup · 06/03/2025 20:25

I get similar. Thought it was eczema. Hydrocortisone 1% clears mine up.

Original poster
Connected1 · 06/03/2025 20:20

WelshPool · 06/03/2025 20:15

cherry angioma. Sign of ageing sadly.

Edited

Thank you, I looked that up but mine heal up after a while so I don't think it's them.
Were you able to see the photo? Some people are saying they can't but it's visible to me.

OP posts:
Cheepcheepcheep · 06/03/2025 20:20

I can see and it looks a lot like how my psoriasis started.

XWKD · 06/03/2025 20:19

That looks like psoriasis. I mainly have it on my face and scalp, but I get these on my legs.

WelshPool · 06/03/2025 20:16

Photo for reference:

(edit, cant see pic. Google cherry angioma)