Q: I am a 25 years old female with a black patch on my index finger and one such patch in between the index finger and the thumb. This makes my hand look really ugly. To add to it, my hands are really dry. Please suggest me some medicines that could remove the black patch.

A:Black patch without any symptoms could be a birth mark if it has been present since birth. Nothing much can be done by medication. An acquired dark patch may follow an inflammatory disease in that area. Laser therapy may be helpful. If it is associated with itching, then it may be a lichenified eczema. Oral antihistaminics and topical steroids should help. Proper clinical evaluation is necessary.