Ask:
Belly button skin?
I have had this around my belly button and now I have some white spots on my shoulders that dont tan in the sun.
Should I be worried?
[img width=533 height=400]http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m68/karlbradley/CRIM0104.jpg[/img]
Thank you for any help and advice
Answer:
Belly button skin?
This is called depigmentation (=loss of the skin's natural pigment, melanin). There are various possible causes, including autoimmune, hormonal and infectious diseases. Dermatitis, psoriasis, and vitiligo are some conditions that may cause this type of depigmentation. You need to see the doctor, preferrably a dermatologist, who will need to take a family history, perform a thorough physical examination, and take some lab tests, sometimes consultations with other specialties are needed. The goal is to rule out treatable / curable causes, and, in the case of vitiligo, initiate treatment that will slow down the progression of the skin depigmentation. To my understanding the location of the depigmentation is not typical for vitiligo, but it is possible.
Keep us posted!