Getting a tan! But what is this?

Nukkers

I've started getting a tan since I've been more active. But my forearms and upper arms are covered in white dots! They're white enough to be scars. What is this and how do I make it go away so I can show off my tan? I haven't had a tan since I was a kid and they look like polka dots. I'm super embarassed about it..

hungergames324

I'm not sure what it is, you might want to go to the doctor.

Have you been putting on sun screen?

Nukkers

Yes definitely! And they're not raised bumps.

BackTatJIM

sweat rash?

brendaschmitt1

Maybe it something with the pigment of your skin. i get those sometimes when I get extremely tan. But i remember getting them as a kid too. I don't think it is a big deal. I think its like some spots don't tan with the rest of your skin.

ItsPheebs

It kinda just looks like you were wearing teenie polka dot band-aids and took them off, right? It's called hypopigmentation and they say it's sun damage (I have that problem, too). I'm fair, so as I've gotta older I get them more along with some crazy freckles. Nothing to worry about.

s1lence

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/vitiligo-common-cause-loss-skin-pigment

Got to love webmd. Check with an actual doctor though.

Nukkers

I don't think so. But possibly. I've never had one.

RobynMWilson

It's a skin condition where your skin lacks melanin in those spots. My mom has it, I have it, and my aunt has it so bad that she has big white splotches on her arms, like cow markings but white. And she's olive-skinned so it's very noticeable. No matter how much you tan, you can't fill them in unless you get a spray tan. Try using Jergen's Natural glow on your arms in addition to tanning if you don't wanna spray tan. I have a circle of white on the left side of my abdomen but other than that just very tiny white dots that really aren't that noticeable. At least noone's ever said anything to me lol

Nukkers

Is it genetic Pheebs? Now that I think about it my grandma has something like this along with some weird freckles.

Li_Willi

This.

brittany17love

I would try using a tanning lotion. When I went tanning I did this so I never got the white patches, but if you start tanning you never want to stop or you will be back to white like myself!

They sell tanning lotions there at any tanning salon. Get one and put it on RIGHT before you tan. You tan quicker and should keep away white spots (:

dpod2007

Possibly tinea versicolor. I's caused by a fungus and is pretty easily treated.

luchien

I get them on my legs but they are hard to see unless you look close. Doctor said it's where melanin (part of your skin that turns color when you tan) doesn't produce anymore. So in those spots I just don't tan anymore. But frequently it is from a fungus. I would see a doc about it, and they can provide a cream that can help.

wilson1134

Use Selsun Blue blue. Rub on your spots and leave to dry for about 10 min then shower. Usually takes a week of this treatment. I have the SAME THING!

Goal_Seeker_1988

When I was goin to the tanning beds bout 2 years ago my legs were nice and tanned well I ended up with lil red spots all over the thighs of my legs and I went to the doctor and he said it was my skin pigmitation. My legs were never tanned that dark before it's weird how once you start tanning all kinds of colors come out. LOL.

On a side note my mom gets them lil red spots all over her arms every year when she starts to get a tan from the sun and she always calls it sun poison. Doubt that it is.

delilah47

If you have been taking antibiotics (even a long time ago), you can get a benign fungus on your skin. It won't show unless you get a tan. Years ago, this happened to me. I lived in Alaska, so it was after a vacation when I noticed I had white spots on my chest. A doctor can give you some medicated cream to put on it. It is caused when you take antibiotics or certain steroids (like prednisone). Antibiotics kill ALL germs, even good ones, which allows other stuff to grow on ya. Steroids suppress your immune system and the same thing can happen. If it is from a fungus, it should show up clearly under a black light. One other possible cause is; you may be developing a condition called vitililgo, which can cause white patches on your skin. This is caused by a deficiency of the melanin in your skin, which is where your skin gets its pigmentation.

Edit: I see wilson1134 has a home remedy. Selsun Blue has an anti-fungal in it (selenium sulfide). Zinc oxide ointment might work as well.

Nukkers

I've been under black lights recently and it definitely didn't show up. Does this absolutely rule out a fungus? But I will be seeing my doctor by the end of the month.

delilah47

I've been under black lights recently and it definitely didn't show up. Does this absolutely rule out a fungus? But I will be seeing my doctor by the end of the month.

No

ItsPheebs

Is it genetic Pheebs? Now that I think about it my grandma has something like this along with some weird freckles.

Yes, it is. I have odd colonies of freckles, too. It didn't happen as much when I was younger.

ValerieMartini2Olives

Do you use a spray sunscreen? One time I didn't spray a heavy enough layer and you could tell the areas of the skin that weren't completely covered.

kateanne27

.

holly1283

I have the loss of pigmanet on my fingers. I'm not sure you can do anything about it. At the risk if getting a zillion coments, you really shouldn't tan. I know no one really wants to hear that. I just know that I can't reverse my finger whiteness. Please go to a dermatologist.

ncthomas09

I have a similiar issue but mine is tenia versicolor....which is actually a skin fungus similar to ring worm. The fungus loves warm and humid weather so I typically only see it in winter since I keep my tan most of the year. If nothing else just buy a tube of lamisil or something similar (some kind of anti fungal) and spread it over the affected area once or twice a day and see if it goes away. I do it every spring and summer.