I can’t shift pink marks on my skin – they keep popping up but I can’t get a GP appointment

OUR resident specialist and NHS GP, Dr Zoe Williams, shares her expert advice.

Today, Dr Zoe helps a reader who has noticed marks on their skin.

2

2

Q) I HAVE some skin marks that I first noticed last year. I tried to see my doctor but could only get a phone consultation which, as you can imagine, was useless.

They wanted me to email a picture, but I couldn’t access the site.

I’ve used a steroid cream, which I had for a different issue, and found it makes the marks go, but after a while, more appear elsewhere.

They aren’t sore or itchy, but this is really getting me down. Can you help?

A) Thank you for sending the images of the rash, which appear to show oval salmon-pink-coloured patches on your torso.

While seeing images of skin is helpful, we doctors usually need to get a history from the patient in order to make a diagnosis.

I would like to know if, prior to the rash appearing, there was a single larger patch that came up first.

If this was the case, then that would likely be the herald patch – a sign of the harmless skin condition pityriasis rosea.

It usually gets better on its own over the course of around four to ten weeks.

You say you first noticed skin marks a year ago, but I’m unsure if there was a period in between where it cleared. This could be a second episode of it.

If this sounds likely, it will resolve on its own and a mild steroid cream can alleviate any discomfort if there is any. If you do not think it is this, then you need a consultation with a GP.

TIP: As we enjoy the summer, try to refrain from wearing sandals and flip-flops too often.

Their lack of support can lead to calluses, corns and issues like plantar fasciitis, which causes heel pain.

• Send your questions for Dr Zoe to: [email protected]