white spots after sunbed?

Question

hi, my friend has just shown me lots of white circular patches on her back that she thinks started when she went on sunbeds. they seem to be spreading and getting bigger. its like all the pigment has come out of her skin? could anyone tell us what this maybe and what we can do about it please? thanks x

p.s. i've already given her a lecture on the dangers of them things!!

Answer 1

It's a fungus. I'm going to lecture you again. Ur getting the most harmful UV rays U can get. Skin cancer is something that will be dealt with later, be careful in the use of tanning beds. See below for more details.

A few weeks ago I started tanning at a tanning salon about three times a week for 20 minutes each session. About two weeks ago I noticed after a tanning my normal session of 20 minutes I had white oval type spots on my chest, stomach, back, and inner thighs. Immediately after tanning my skin was very blotchy and itchy. I haven't gone back to tan since, which was about two weeks ago. I get an occassional itch here and there but the spots are still there. I asked the owner of the tanning salon what was happening and he told me it was a skin fungus and I should use Head and Shoulders shampoo or Selsun Blue shampoo and to put it on before showering and let it dry then shower as usual and that should take care of it. My mom, a nurse, told me my it might be my skin pigment. I tried Selsu Blue Medicated shampoo only twice since, I don't want to use anything until I find out what the heck this is for fear of making it worse.
What can I do to get rid of these spots? Can I continue to tan in a tanning bed or will that make it worse or make it harder to get rid of? When I tan in a tanning bed, I do sweat. When I tan out side I have never gotten these spots. Could it be the tanning lotion? I enjoy tanning in a tanning bed, but I need to know if it tanning in a tanning bed, the lotion or my skin pigment that is doing this. I have simi-dark skin to begin with. Please help! I am not uncomfortable, it is just visually annoying. Thank you.
Derm M.D. ASR
07/20/2000
Shelley Shelley:

I'm not sure, but you may indeed have a common and nonserious skin fungus (not contagious!), which suntanning highlights by darkening the skin around it. You should see a doctor just to find out what's up, because just getting rid of the fungus (i.e. with Selsun Blue) doesn't automatically bring the pigment back. That takes time, but does happen. Meantime, don't woryy: you haven't done any real damage to yourself. But I do have to add that tannong is not good for you. How bad, only time and research will tell . . .

Best.

Dr. Rockoff
I hope this helps

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

Well, all he had to say was fungus.