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white spots on arms

hello i am a 16 year old boy. i started noticing these red bumps around the crook of my right arm towards the end of winter. i payed no attention to it thinking it would go away. in a week or 2 it eventually turned into white circular/oval white spots. these spots are on both my upper right and left arm and very few spots on my forearms. some of the spots are very tinted and are hard to see. i have had these spots for about 4 months and they have not spread. initially when i had the red bumps, my skin itched, but when the skin turned white my skin didnt itch anymore. the spots turn red if they are in the sun for too long. i am also constantly playing sports and do not go a day without sweating. can anybody tell me what this condition is.
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i went to the dermatoligist and he said that it was tinea versicolor. he told me that the spots sometimes take up to a year to clear up. he just gave me some antifungal shampoo to put on and then wash off.
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563773 tn?1374246539
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
The symptoms are suggestive of tinea versicolor. Tinea versicolor is caused by a fungus that lives in the skin of almost all adults. Factors that can cause the fungus to become more visible include high humidity and immune or hormone abnormalities. Treatment involves topical and oral antifungal medicines.

Wear cotton clothes and try to avoid sweating. Also apply topical antifungals like Lamisil or Monistat. Severe cases may need oral antifungals for which I suggest you to consult a dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.


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