To ask if this looks like Psoriasis??? Pics Inside.

[WhatIsThisProblem]

NC because I find this embarrassing.

If you have any educated guesses on what this is Please Help.

Starting in 2012 I got these small weird patches of skin on my inner arms, then a tiny dot on my collarbone then a tiny dot of it on my stomach. The spots look almost raised when inspected closely and feel a bit off from other skin. Over time it has spread particularly while I was pregnant except my stomach where it got better now it's all over my chest, shoulders, some on breasts and stomach and a few dots of it in other places.

Arms, hands, face, back, bum, bikini area, legs, and feet are clear for the most part or completely.

Asked a GP and nurse about it while pregnant and wasn't helped just told it probably was a side effect of my pregnancy...in 2017.

It isn't contagious. The patches only get better when my skin is exposed to sunlight regularly. I rarely tan so only found this out in 2016 on a beach holiday.

I saw a dermatologist once who said the spots despite looking brown are in fact red and it could be an auto-immune disorder. I was tested for Lupus and thankfully it was negative.

I was also diagnosed with Raynaud's Phenomenon by a different doctor, this is only relevant because it started at almost the same time as spots appeared and Raynaud's is associated with some auto-immune disorders.

I was also misdiagnosed with something I can't recall the name of now.

I don't want to go to another doctor just to get the run around again, I'd like to go in armed with suggestions of things they could test for.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.firstderm.com/pityriasis-versicolor/amp/

I think it is this - it's a fungal infection

It doesn't look like my psoriasis. It is small red scaly patches.

I have a condition called pityriasis versicolor... it also has another name that i can never remember. It looks exactly the same when it flares up.

Sorry should have read the full thread. There are other types of pityriasis that it could be.

If it gets worse in the sun that suggests it may not be psoriasis. Are you on medication OP? Some medications can cause sun sensitivity.

Sorry last one from me. If it is pityriasis versicolor or you have pityriasis i was advised to treat it by applying selsun shampoo to the affected areas, leaving overnight and washing it off. Trouble is selsun stinks and i was reluctant to do that. Last bad flare up i spoke to a pharmacist who did some research for me. Same treatment plan but use Nizoral shampoo which doesnt smell at all. Worked a treat.

Thought i would put that out there for sufferers of the same condition who also hate the sulphur smell of selsun

It's eczema. Trust I've had it my whole life. Ask for prednisone and sting antihistamines.

Actually I think pityriasis versicolor is what the second doctor thought it was before but he called it something else so I didn't make the connection right away but the versicolor part sounded familiar. The treatment he suggested didn't work but in reading online the treatment was vastly different then what the NHS recommends, so when it didn't work, I thought he had misdiagnosed me.

@LemonysSnicket

I had one doctor suggest eczema in the past before I had marks on my skin, but was having issues with my hands. Eczema was ruled out by 3 other doctors though and the issue with my hands is believed now to be the start of the raynauds.

@agnurse

It gets better in the sun, not worse.

I've made an appointment with a GP now, it's not for almost 2 weeks. I'll update after with what they think it is.

Thanks everyone for the help. I feel more prepared now so hopefully won't just get batted away like last time.

It could be but psoriasis usually flakes. Another thing that can cause those patches is a fungal infection in the skin, easily fixed with a cream. May be worth speaking to your pharmacist?

Thanks @HazelBite - that does sound inconvenient. I wonder if a water filter on your home system would help with the drinking water? I just asked because my skin reacts badly to washing water at the moment, even the quickest of cool showers with no soap makes my chest come out red and blotchy. It's infuriating.

I have plaque Psoriasis (got it in second pregnancy and it's got lots worse since having my 3rd child) and am just waiting to have Psoriatic Arthritis confirmed by the rheumatologist.

I also had gestational diabetes with my 3rd pregnancy..... all of these conditions are considered autoimmune diseases!!!

My body is fucking useless.

Just returned from the GP's. He agreed with the previous diagnosis of Pityriasis/Tinea Versicolor, but disagreed with the treatment that A.) Didn't work, B.) Isn't the normal treatment for it, and C.) Made me think I was misdiagnosed due to the treatment failing.

He prescribed anti-fungal tablets and cream and asked to see me back in 3 weeks.

If I start seeing an improvement with the marks on my skin I will update with pictures.

If there's zero improvement then it's back to the drawing board.

Also thank you everyone who replied with ideas of what it might be. I felt much more prepared and luckily this GP really listened and asked a lot of questions.

@Jorah

You may want to ask your GP or a dermatologist if you could have Pityriasis Versicolor since your undiagnosed skin condition looks the same as mine.

I do sometimes have aching joints and pain in my feet as well but it is due to the Lamotrigine I take. My dosage was recently raised a lot and I can barely hobble out of bed first thing in the morning...hopefully my body will get use to it again and the side effects will calm down.