I'm 43 and have noticed a lot...especially recently. Many many blotches of brown spots primarily on my face.
Is this a lyme symptom or is this caused by abx mainly Zithromax which is what I'm currently taking.
What works to get rid of these? I did a search, found that cocunut oil, and aloe vera juice did help. I've tried both with no luck. Someone said Piracetam however that appears to be perscription. Do I see the dermatologist for lightening creams like Triluma or is it a waste of money?
Posted by Nebula2005 (Member # 8244) on :
I have these too, especially on my face.
My Lyme doctor said they look like sun damage, I have fair skin and I am 57.
But like you, they really popped out while I was taking Zithromax, Tindamax and Plaquenil.
I also found out I'm having an immune response to a normal skin yeast, which causes dermatitis. The brown spots on my forehead may be from that, according to my GP. This is called seborreic dermatitis. I get skin flakes on my forehead and my eyes get all sore. Also my eyebrows swell up and hurt.
I DO have some spots where the sun hasn't shown for decades!
My LLMD said it can also be a response to inflammation, caused by spikes in melanocyte stimulating hormone, causing irregular pigmentation. I like this explanation best.
Time will tell if getting treated for Lyme and co-infections will make this stop. I have one spot that looks like there are black spots in it. This is on my cheek! Guess how happy this makes me!
Both doctors have said none of these look like skin cancer.
Sorry for the long answer. I wish I knew for sure what this was, but I've decided I'm not going to a dermatologist who doesn't understand Lyme until I'm sure it's not going to get better.
Lynne
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
Hormone changes, sun damage, all of the above. I like the explanation about inflammation - seems like a good one.
Years ago, before I was diagnosed with Lyme and co, I was on Lupron for endometriosis. Brown spots were a side effect. I used Obagi products for a few months and they went away (no, I have no affiliation to that or any other product).
Since being on abx treatment, I have had more pop out. My doc gives me a scrip for hydroquinone (sp) cream, and it helps. And sunscreen, sunscreen - very important.
Posted by tailz (Member # 10014) on :
I have hyperpigmented areas, too, especially on my cheekbones over my sinuses - across my nose, too, in the past.
I'm not sure what causes these, but since they tend to darken when I'm feeling toxic, I attribute them to a toxic liver - 'liver spots'.
I also have increased frecking in my groin, and like the poster's above me, my groin sees very little sun.
On the positive side, as long as I avoid minocycline, I actually tan very nicely otherwise. My arms and legs are looking like I've spent months on the beach. I've always tanned pretty well though - almost like I have negro in me.
Posted by tailz (Member # 10014) on :
I have hyperpigmented areas, too, especially on my cheekbones over my sinuses - across my nose, too, in the past.
I'm not sure what causes these, but since they tend to darken when I'm feeling toxic, I attribute them to a toxic liver - 'liver spots'.
I also have increased frecking in my groin, and like the poster's above me, my groin sees very little sun.
On the positive side, as long as I avoid minocycline, I actually tan very nicely otherwise. My arms and legs are looking like I've spent months on the beach. I've always tanned pretty well though - almost like I have negro in me.
Posted by duke77 (Member # 5051) on :
I have the brown spots mainly across the bridge of my nose. I am fair skinned as well. The last year I really have been making a concious effort to put bullfrog sunscreen on if I am going to be outside for more than 20 minutes. It has worked they have faded from what they were a year ago. I do believe they are from sun damage.
Posted by ssmillik (Member # 9635) on :
Make sure your cortisol levels are okay. I developed Addison's disease from Lyme, and hyperpigmentation is a side effect of adrenal insufficiency.
With Addison's, you get generalized hyperpigmentation, the darkest being in the folds of your skin, your knees, and on your gums. I'm not sure if this includes brown spots though.
Posted by AutumnDay (Member # 9532) on :
Hi, I developed brown spots on my face when I started getting my symptoms at the age of 33 and before any antibiotic treatment at all.
I have gotten more on my face throughout treatment. I don't know what causes them. They tend to fade somewhat in the winter and are darker when exsposed to the sun.
Autumnday
Posted by lymemommy (Member # 12495) on :
Although born with fair skin, and remaining fair skinned into my mid 20's, I developed dark patches on my face in my late 20's after starting on birth control.
I was told at that time that it was melasma, and that it was irreversible, and that I should not ever try taking any hormones as it would worsen the condition.
Over the years since then, my face has gotten darker and darker. I always look like I have a tan, and any exposure at all to sun light makes it worse.
As to the lyme factor, who knows? I test negative for lyme, but positive for 2 strains of bart and myco, in addition to high EBV. So maybe one of those has caused it.
Perhaps we are all dealing with different things. Melasma, excess sun exposure, the immunological response someone mentioned above....
Whatever it is, we got it.
best of luck. kp
Posted by dmbfan (Member # 11948) on :
I developed brown spots on my face in my 20's. my gynecologist said it was from the pill. it looks similar to a preganancy mnask.
I have tried glycolic peels and lightening cream with no success. It gets very bad in the sun, so i do my best to keep covered.
I wish i knew how to get rid of it, besides lots of makeup!
Posted by hokie (Member # 14720) on :
I have used the obagi nu-derm line for sun spots and melasma-like areas and have been very happy with the results after 4 to 5 months of treatment.
This is an expensive way to go, however.
And everything comes right back once I'm in the sun.
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
I had a little one, too and my dermatologist prescribed EPIQUIN.
It's a topical that you place just on brown spots/patches.
It's fading mine but I know we're all different.
Can't hurt to try. Laser is always an option, too!
Laser toning ot fractional laser (google)
Best,
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
PS>
I've also had MELASMA and I'm living proof it IS reversible!! It can be treated with bleachers like Epiquin or other products a dermatologist recommends.
Although Dr. Brandt products are expensive, he has a special kit for melasma that one of his nurses swears by. Mine went away with some special concoted bleacher by my derm in LA at the time.
I had that on my forehead, temples and above my lip (like a mustache...niiiiiiice). I thought it was the California sun after living in Boston my whole life.
Dermatologist attributed it to hormones, the pill, etc and gave me a bleacher and he got me in the habit of wearing sunscreen under my makeup EVERYDAY. I thank him now 12 years later!
My gut tells me that our wretched TBD's definitely played a role in this skin stuff, too. But since we'll never know, just tackle one problem at a time, I guess!
Best,
[ 09. July 2008, 01:34 PM: Message edited by: Clarissa ]
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
Oh now I have to ask about Dr Brandt products! I haven't heard of those... are they Rx only?
Obagi did work for the melasma-type spots. But it is very pricey, and you have to live through some peeling, and lots of follow ups with the doc, etc. Wow, did my skin look great by the time the spots were gone though!
For now, I am only using a bleaching cream. But would really like to look into something a little more, just because since starting down the Lyme path 3 years ago, I can see a definite difference in my skin. It's disheartening.
Posted by Nancy2 (Member # 95) on :
In Schallers new Bartonella book, he lists tan pea-sized spots as a symptom of Bart. For me, they came out in full force when I started Bart treatment. They are slowly fading now.
Posted by chootik (Member # 11221) on :
I have these too! Mine starting appearing on my hands (liver spots) mostly and it was after I had been taking Zitromax for about 7 months.
I think this might have to do with the liver and maybe the Antibiotics are creating inflamation or oxidation and the liver can't keep up with it.
I have asked the LLMD and a Naturopath and they think it's liver and also Gallblader related. I have to also say that I've been having elevated Bilirubin levels the last few times I checked and was wondering if that could have something to do with it???
Anyways, I def. want to give the Obagi cream a try and see if I can get rid of it.
Chootik
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
I developed hyperpigmentation while on minocycline. My fibro doc had no idea what it was but my LLMD took me off mino immediately. Said they don't know what the long term effects would be.
Terry
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
That's what mine was, a tanned pea spot (but this was after stopping meds) and getting some laser toning done on my face as a reward for my remission.
I thought it was from the laser but maybe it was leftover Bart. Thank goodness the bleacher cream is lightening it...sheeesh!
Let me know if you'd like me to recommend some products. They've made a HUGE difference in my skin and, being in FL, I get to actually see him in person as he's in Coral Gables!
Best,
Posted by Nora DeBoard (Member # 15600) on :
I get brown spots around my eye area if I'm in the sun for more than 10min! I have a brown patch on my forehead.
I have what is termed at Malasma. It's from being on hormones. You can get it too from BC pills too. Especially long term use.
Now I'm really scared about taking my Zithromax. I don't want it to get worse. I already use a high SPF as it is. I never go out without it.
![[dizzy]](graemlins/dizzy.gif)
![[Embarrassed]](redface.gif)