Spots on scalp and face. Sorry for placing this under the wrong topic(RLS) I'm new to this site but glad I discovered it.

[Guitarist235]

I'm a 64 year old male and have this black/brown spots all over my scalp and face. I cut my hair very short yesterday and was quite alarmed when I noticed how visible it really is. It's not painful at all though but it looks terrible. Can't wait for the hair to grow back again to cover it up. Any suggestions out there, please??

[ChrisColumbus]

Someone here may have some ideas, but meanwhile try joining and posting on the "my skin" forum linked here:

healthunlocked.com/my-skin

[Guitarist235 in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Thanks for the advice Chris. Appreciate it👍Love this site, makes one comfortable knowing one is not alone out there. 🙏

[SueJohnson]

If you are taking gabapentin it might be an an allergic reaction to it. Now let me ask you about your RLS? Have you had your ferritin tested? Are you taking any medicines for your RLS? Is it under control?

[Guitarist235 in reply to SueJohnson]

No I've never taken any meds for RLS other than antistax, which seem to help on and off. Other than that I always try to walk it off and try to avoid stimulants like coffee and alcohol close to bedtime. I've also started including stalk raisins an pumpkin seeds to up my iron intake which I normally take with orange juice or a vitC supplement and it seems to be much better now. Also I try to go to bed as late as possible so I can fall asleep quicker. Thanx for your concern but please don't try to put me on chemicals, I try to avoid them in general unless there's no other option.

[SueJohnson in reply to Guitarist235]

Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. When you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements 48 hours before the test, fast after midnight and have your test in the morning. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45% and your ferritin to be at least 100. If they are not , post them here and we can give you advice. I won't try to put you on any medicines but if that time comes, do not let your doctor put you on dopamine agonists like ropinirole or pramipexole. Better yet, create a new post because you won't remember the names by then. Just remember there are some you don't want to take and maybe 90% of doctors will prescribe them because they used to be the first line treatment for RLS. Check out now the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which will tell you everything you want to know including about its treatment and refer your doctor to it if needed as many doctors do not know much about RLS or are not uptodate on it. Some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, carbs, foods high in sodium, foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, stress and vigorous exercise. Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, low oxalate diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, using a standing desk, listening to music, meditation and yoga.

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any and you list them here, I can tell you if any make RLS symptoms worse and if so may be able to give you a safe substitute.

[ChrisColumbus]

Seeing your post on the My Skin forum where you give a little more detail, l just found a reference elsewhere to seborrhoeic keratosis. The condition can be inherited, and if you have them removed they *can* reappear:

bad.org.uk/pils/seborrhoeic...

[Guitarist235 in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Thanx Chris will go there now👍

[Mum007]

Chris Colombus is probably right. They are seborrhoeic keratosis. Usually caused by being in the sun too much without a hat. You can get them all over your body especially as you get older. You can get them frozen off sometimes by your doctor. They are basically sun warts. Best to get them checked out by a Dr. They can also be genetic.

[Guitarist235 in reply to Mum007]

I disagree with that, I am not in the sun that often. However I did visit the site suggested by Chris and it described my symptoms very accurately. Thank you Chris but I did pick up that it may reappear after having been removed which is exactly what happened in my case so I suppose it will be a lifelong problem, also it also state there's no discernable cause for it. Thanks anyway it did give me some comfort knowing a lot more now. Also there are more important things to worry about than a few unsightly spots👍👍