I Am Caucasian, I Have White Spots Puffed Scars Mainly on my Chest, Shoulders and Back.

Question

I have white spots, puffed scars mainly on my chest, shoulders and back. I also have random white puffy scars on various places on my body. I have seen several dermatologists and was told different things each time, they are acne scars, it is a fungus, they have no idea etc. I am having a hard time believing that these are simply acne scars, they show up in places where I have never even had acne like on a forearm, lower back or neck as well. I have seen new white bumps on neck. Please help?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis for most deep scars. The options available for acne scars depend on the character of your scars, in terms of topography and contour. We see atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. We begin each scar evaluation with an assessment of scar quality and subtype. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to decide whether early subcision should be started.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Vivek Bansal, MD · Answer

You should obtain a culture, and  biopsy to get a diagnosis.  After a diagnosis, treatment can be planned.

Emily Altman, MD · Answer

There are definitely ways of determining what these white spots are.  The first thing to do is to have a dermatologist do a light scraping of the white spots and look under the microscope with the aid of a KOH (potassium hydroxide) stain to determine if there are any yeast forms present.  If there are, this would be tinea versicolor.

	If there are no yeast forms on KOH examination, a biopsy of one such spot can be performed to see the nature of the lesion, particularly if you doubt that these may be acne scars.  There are inflammatory skin conditions that can result in lesions that look like white puffy scars, such as anetoderma or atrophoderma. 

	I recommend a consultation with another dermatologist, perhaps one in an academic center.

Richard Galitz, MD, FACS (in memoriam) · Answer

Cannot say for sure but sounds like either a fungus or a reactive solar manifestation ( sun allergy reaction)

I Am Caucasian, I Have White Spots Puffed Scars Mainly on my Chest, Shoulders and Back.

Answers (4)

Answer: White spots

Answer: White spots

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

I Am Caucasian, I Have White Spots Puffed Scars Mainly on my Chest, Shoulders and Back.

Answers (4)

Answer: White spots

Answer: White spots

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.