Okay...here is a list of what's been going on since December 1st...
1. I discovered a pink, almost perfectly shaped oval spot (1/2 inch long and about 1/4 inch wide) on my back that hasn't gone away or changed much at all. The only change has been one time when it got flaky, but when I took a warm bath, all the flakes disappeared and the spot looked shiny. My first thought due to my constant worrying is that it's skin cancer! WorryingAnxiety...yet another fun thing about perimenopause!
2. For the first time ever in my 49 years, I discovered red, strange looking skin in between my 4th and 5th toe on my left foot. Now it's flaking and peeling.
3. I decided to check my skin all over and found an area under my left breast that is pigmented and just looks odd.
4. Periodically I'm getting VERY red, irritated skin under one or both breasts. I discovered that if I put baby powder under there it clears up in a day or so.
5. About 3 weeks ago one side of my stomach started itching like crazy. It got very red (probably from me scratching the hell out of it!!!). I finally put some Cortizone Cream on it which stopped the itch and it cleared up in a few days.
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS????? Please tell me that this isn't going to continue for years because I'm going to go insane. We didn't have health insurance until this week so I can finally get in to see the doctor mid-February. Thanks!
Susan

Hi Susan, the only thing that I can add here is WOW does my skin go through weird changes these days! I too, have had the itchiness on the side of my stomach area ~ and I scratched it until it FINALLY welted up and looked like a huge hive. It comes and goes, and has for about 4 years now, so I just chalk it up to, well? To SOMETHING! I also have HORRIBLE itching on my upper back and arm area. It drives me absolutely crazy, and is worse this year than last. I have scratched it so much that I even have little scab spots. I have found nothing that relieves it, other than using benadryl (which I can only take at night because it makes me so tired) and medicated Gold Bond powder. When I wear ANY clothing that touches my back, it makes it itch like crazy. I've had terrible itchy shins, scalp, and you NAME it. Doesn't bother me a bit in the summer, so I figure it has to do something with hormones and dry skin. It's awful and at times I wonder if it's something else. Normally, it always goes away. As with anything, if something unusual bothers you, mention it to your doctor. If you scan through the boards you'll notice that skin issues/itchiness is a HUGE complaint among us meno babes.
Hugs!
Kleeo

Thanks, Kleeo. I'm more concerned about the odd oval on my back which NEVER itched and the weird pigmented skin under the breast. I'll be glad when all of this is over. Maybe wine will help!!!! I never used to fret about things like this, but I find myself checking every area on my skin hourly!!!!!!!! Just another freaky symptom of menopause I suppose!

Well give yourself a piece of mind and mention it to your doc. Most likely is yet another symptom of the meno monster!
Good luck, Hugs!
Kleeo

Guess what it was? A fungal infection. Apparently they are very common when you're under stress and menopausal. I'm relieved!

Yeah, I was going to say fungal, like candida. Keep some Monistat around and put it on the spots. I get them under my breast if I eat too much sugar and sweat a lot.