A reader asks: About four weeks ago a rash appeared on my chest with flat brown mole-like spots. Some of these have also appeared under my breast but without the rash. I’ve been applying E45 and calamine lotion. Online photos of seborrheic keratosis appear to be identical to my problem, but does it come on suddenly like this?
Dr Rosemary Leonard replies: In seborrheic keratosis (also known as seborrheic warts) crusty, slightly greasy looking spots appear that look as if they have been stuck on the skin. They have an irregular outline and can vary in colour from pale brown to nearly black.
They can occur anywhere on the body, though are most common on the back, chest and abdomen, and tend to start appearing in the late forties. With increasing age, more can slowly appear and existing ones can enlarge and darken. Their cause isn’t known, but they can run in families.
These warts are harmless and unless they are causing problems by catching on your clothes, they can be left alone. However, I suspect the rash is a separate issue. With increasing age the skin can become very dry. Using a moisturiser, such as E45, can be helpful, but calamine lotion can be astringent and drying, and may be making any tendency to irritation and itching worse. I suggest you contact your GP surgery for help in getting a diagnosis and treatment.
In many surgeries the quickest way of doing this is by sending in photographs. Hopefully either one of your family or a friendly neighbour can help you to do this if need be.
If you have a health question for Dr Leonard, email her in confidence at [email protected]. She regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence or reply to everyone
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