The condition is quite annoying and she was hoping you would have a home remedy or some idea of how to combat the condition.

DEAR READER:
Morphea is a type of scleroderma, a rare skin condition that can cause a variety of problems such as skin discoloration or internal organ damage. There is no known cause but it is believed it may be an autoimmune response.

Morphea is a less serious form which usually affects only the outermost layers of skin only, leaving the internal organs alone. It generally causes hardening, thickening and discoloration of the skin in patches. It can also limit the flexibility of the skin in the affected area.

Treatment includes corticosteroids, anti-malarial drugs, immunosuppressive medications, topical creams, physical therapy, chemical peels, laser treatment and plastic surgery.

Keeping the skin moisturized and avoiding direct sun exposure can help minimize the affects of Morphea. I recommend you sister be treated by a dermatologist familiar with scleroderma.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Medical Specialists”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

The problem is now starting to happen on the top of the lower right arm. I have also noticed that following treatment for a blood clot in his leg (after hip replacement in 2006) with Coumadin, the blotches seem to be worsening. He also has some minor bleeding. He is tested once a month to ensure his Coumadin is working. The spots are not itchy or painful, they are only unsightly.

Aside from the Coumadin (2.5 mg four times a day, five days a week and six times a day, two days a week) he is taking Celebrex 200 mg, Sular 20 mg, Clonidine 0.2 mg, B6 50 mg, B12 500 mcg, folic acid 400 mcg, one calcium plus D pill, one multivitamin/mineral and one glucosamine/chondroitin pill (1500mg/1200mg). These were all started at different times but he has been on the clonidine since 1991. Please help us figure out what is happening.

DEAR READER:
Your husband is on several prescription and over-the-counter medications. Judging from what he is taking, it appears he has arthritis, high blood pressure and a clotting disorder.

I believe that he may be suffering the side effects of one of his medications. You do not say when the skin condition started but based on your letter, it was sometime before 2006. Had these blotches appeared after the Coumadin was started, I would have immediately recommended your husband return to his physician for testing that would have most likely shown that his levels were too high.

Because Coumadin is an anti-coagulant, doses that are excessive can cause bruising, slow healing wounds, easy or hard to stop bleeding and more. Because the spots worsened after the Coumadin was started, its leads me to believe that they are somehow related to the vascular system.

You claim your husband has had some minor bleeding but don’t say if it is spontaneous or caused by simple bumps, scraps or minor injuries. He should be seen by his physician because the Coumadin may still be to blame for at least worsening the condition. The physician is correct to monitor his INR (a type of clotting) levels, but if your husband is having symptoms, it is indicative that the dose is too high, meaning the blood is unable to clot quickly enough. Make an appointment to discuss this possibility right away.

Following the Coumadin review, I urge you and your husband to also review his other medications, including the OTCs. Clonidine, Celebrex and Sular can all cause various types of rashes. Sular can also cause skin discoloration, bruising, petechiae (pinpoint, round, purplish red spots caused by tiny hemorrhages in the skin) and maculopapular rash (stains or spots on the skin distinct from the surrounding tissue, usually not raised or painful).

I would also be curious to know his physicians stance on the OTC meds. Your husband is taking a multivitamin daily which by itself is good but he is also taking B6, B12, folic acid, and calcium plus D which is likely in the multivitamin already. I would suggest he stick to just the glucosamine/chondroitin and the one multivitamin unless he was directed by his doctor to take the additional supplements.

If this approach fails to provide positive results, I would recommend your husband be seen by a blood specialist who can determine if the blotches are caused by an abnormality in the clotting factors or other component of the blood.

Your husband needs to know what is causing his skin discoloration. If he has had it for more than 3 years, chances are it is harmless and benign. But, it is always better to be on the safe side. Don’t give up and remember to see as many doctors as it takes to get the answer you need. If dermatologists have failed, try another type of physician; someone out there will be able to help, even if it means a bit of hunting.

Let me know how this turns out.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Blood — Donations and Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR READER:
Eczema is often extremely difficult to control. It stems from a malfunction of the body’s immune system. The condition is known as an itch that rashes. When the uncontrolled urge to scratch occurs, further skin irritation results, often causing rash, scaling and crusting lesions.

There are many triggers causing eczema. They include animal dander, dry skin, harsh soaps, showering too frequently, using too hot water, and more. The most effective control is to keep the skin moisturized. A good moisturizing lotion with vitamin E is recommended. While easier said than done, suggest your daughter not scratch any lesions. If this is a habit she might do in her sleep, she can wear cotton gloves to bed. She should bathe in warm, not hot, water. If her home is dry, she might use a humidifier. If these suggestions don’t work, she might ask her physician for a prescription medication.

I am an 85-year-old female who first developed this condition one year ago. It shows no signs of improving and my doctor told me he didn’t know what it was so he sent me to a specialist. The specialist told me not to worry about it but I do and really hope that it can be cleared up somehow.

DEAR READER:
Granuloma annulare is a chronic skin condition that causes red or flesh-colored raised lesions that form ring patterns. It most often occurs on the hands and feet. It is more commonly seen in children and young adults but can affect anyone at any age.

The most common, and often only symptom is raised red or skin colored bumps that form ring patterns. It may resemble ringworm. Some people may experience minor itching. Most cases occur on the feet and hands but some individuals experience a more severe form that occurs over most of the body. In this case, itching is more common.

There is no known cause of granuloma annulare. Most affected individuals are otherwise healthy. There may be a link between it and diabetes, HIV and thyroid disease but a clear relation has not been found yet.

Women are twice as likely to develop this condition as are men. Children and young adults are at the highest risk.

Most cases do not need treatment because the lesions generally resolve on their own within two years. For those who are thoroughly bothered by the look of the affected areas, there are a few options. First, corticosteroid cream can be used to speed healing, second, corticosteroid injections can be used for thick or severe lesions and, finally, the bumps can be frozen, similar to how warts are removed.

For individuals with the more severe, widespread form of granuloma annulare, there is a special kind of light therapy that includes drugs to make the skin more receptive.

Granuloma annulare is not contagious nor is it believed to be caused by an infection. Because it appears to be completely benign, it is most likely caused by the body itself and not an outside pathogen. Speak to your dermatologist about this if you are truly concerned.

I believe since you have had the lesions for a year that you should start to see improvement soon. If after the two year mark, your lesions are still present, you should return to the specialist for treatment options. Granuloma annulare is not life-threatening, it is more of a cosmetic nuisance, so give it some time to heal on its own.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Eczema and Psoriasis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Does this ink get into the bloodstream? If so, can’t it cause problems? If not now, what about later in life? I also see teenagers with tattoos, no doubt sanctioned by their parents. Even young children are wearing fake tattoos and will probably get the real thing when they are older. It’s appalling.

DEAR READER:
Tattoos have been used as a form of expression for countless years and can be seen on people of all ages, gender and ethnicity. Personally, I have never had the desire to “adorn” my body with a tattoo, but I respect those individuals that make the decision to do so.

The most common method of tattooing involves a tattoo gun that holds several needles which are driven in and out of the dermal layer of skin up to 150 times a second. Depending on design, culture and artist preference, a wide range of dyes and pigments can be used. The process can take from 15 minutes to several sessions (sometimes up to three or four hours a day for several days) depending on the complexity and size of the tattoo chosen.

The ink does not get into the bloodstream to cause problems. However, tattoos can carry health risks including allergic reactions to the dyes and infection from equipment that has not been properly sterilized. Anyone choosing to get a tattoo should be sure that the parlor is properly equipped and uses frequently sterilized equipment and new needles for every tattoo. A disposal container for needles as well as a biohazard container should be available and used to assure proper disposal of materials and to prevent re-use and contamination. Disposable gloves should be worn by the artist.

An individual should make sure he or she wants the art forever and should, in my opinion, think long and hard before getting a tattoo, as removal is expensive, painful, and often unsuccessful.

DEAR READER:
Because you are unsure what the lesions are, I urge you to be examined by your physician. He or she should be able to diagnose you or may choose to refer you to a dermatologist (skin specialist). It is important to know what type of lesions you have, since treatment varies based on cause. It is also important to document any new skin growths (or changes of any current lesions in terms of size or color) to ensure they are not potentially harmful.

That being said, you most likely have skin tags, but I cannot be certain without visual inspection. Skin tags are common and harmless. They can be easily removed by a dermatologist or general surgeon, however can be costly and painful if you have several or particularly large tags.

There are some home remedies you can use as well. Using dental floss or thread, firmly tie it around the base of the tag. This cuts of the blood supply, killing the tissue. The tag should fall off in less than a week. Another option is to apply clear nail polish. Allow the polish to cover the tag for one day and then peel it away. Continue this until the entire tag is removed.

DEAR READER:
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common chronic skin condition that causes white or yellowish flaky scales. These form on oily areas of the skin such as the scalp, inside of or behind the ear, creases of the nose, eyebrows or lids, along skin folds in the middle of the body and lips. It may also cause the skin to redden (mildly) in those areas. It can have long inactive periods between flare-ups but can generally be controlled with treatment.

Seborrheic dermatitis appears to run in families. Oily skin, infrequent shampooing or skin cleaning, stress, fatigue, obesity, use of lotions with alcohol, weather extremes and skin disorders, such as acne, can worsen symptoms and may increase the risk of developing this condition. It can also be associated with Parkinson’s disease, head injuries and strokes. It is a common cause of dandruff and infants and children (up to age 3) can develop a temporary version called cradle cap.

Diagnosis is reached through physical examination of the lesions as well as their location. A dermatologist is best choice for diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

There are several at home treatment options. For lesions in the scalp, over-the-counter medicated or dandruff shampoo is often effective. It should be used daily and vigorously scrubbed in for five minutes then rinsed. The shampoo may also be effective when rubbed into the lesions on other areas of the body. Look for shampoos that contain salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc, resorcin, or ketoconazole. Because of its similarity to psoriasis, some of my readers have tried Vicks VapoRub with success. Others have had success rubbing a banana peel onto the affected area once or twice a day.

If the affected area(s) drain fluid or pus, become painful or very red or form crusts, call your physician. This can be a sign of infection that may need antibiotic treatment.

Close attention to skin and hair care and reducing risk factors can aid in prevention of outbreaks. If over-the-counter or home treatments do not work, a visit to a dermatologist for further advice or prescription medications may be appropriate.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Eczema and Psoriasis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR READER:
Fragile, thin skin is age-related; as we grow older the skin becomes more easily injured. There is no treatment for this condition to my knowledge except to apply moisturizing cream if the skin is dry.