What deficiency causes white spots on skin?

Author: Erwin Altenwerth  |  Last update: Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D and vitamin E can cause white patches on the skin. While harmless, these white spots indicate that you need to eat a healthy, balanced diet.

What vitamins get rid of white spots?

Some take vitamins like vitamin B12 and vitamin D, or antioxidants like vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C in the hope that they will improve their vitiligo.

What nutritional deficiency causes white spots?

Basically, white spots in the body are harmless; however, you need to identify its cause for proper treatment to rule out any potential health issue. Vitamin deficiencies, especially the ones in vitamins D, B12, and E are amongst the most common causes for having white spots on your skin.

Can B12 deficiency cause white spots?

If you've ever noticed tiny white spots or discolorations on your skin, you may have brushed it off as a result of age or sun exposure. But this change in your skin may be a sign of a vitamin B12 deficiency. Here, discover the symptoms of a vitamin B12 shortfall — and how to treat it.

What are white spots on skin due to lack of?

Vitiligo is a long-term condition where pale white patches develop on the skin. It's caused by the lack of melanin, which is the pigment in skin.

What causes white spots on face? - Dr. Rasya Dixit

What autoimmune disease causes white spots on skin?

Vitiligo is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color. This happens when melanocytes – skin cells that make pigment – are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to turn a milky-white color.

At what age does vitiligo start?

Vitiligo can start at any age, but usually appears before age 30. Depending on the type of vitiligo you have, it may affect: Nearly all skin surfaces.

How do you feel if your B12 is low?

Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia can cause a wide range of symptoms. These usually develop gradually, but can worsen if the condition goes untreated.
  • rapid breathing or shortness of breath.
  • headaches.
  • indigestion.
  • loss of appetite.
  • palpitations.
  • problems with your vision.
  • feeling weak or tired.
  • diarrhoea.

Can low iron cause white patches on skin?

Malnutrition or a nutritional deficiency, like iron, copper or vitamin B12 deficiency, can lead to white spots on the face and other parts of the body. Anemia and symptoms like weakness, numbness, weak nails and hair loss can occur with these types of deficiencies.

How to get rid of white dots on skin?

Depending on the cause, a person may be able to get rid of white spots with one of the following treatments:
  1. dermabrasion.
  2. topical steroid cream.
  3. low-dose topical corticosteroid cream.
  4. ultraviolet light treatment.
  5. antifungal shampoos, washes, or soaps.
  6. retinoid cream.

What illness is white spots a symptom of?

Vitiligo causes your skin to lose color or pigmentation. Smooth white or light areas called macules or patches appear on your skin. It generally starts on your hands, forearms, feet and face. Globally, about 1% of the population has vitiligo.

What are the facial signs of B12 deficiency?

The deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause specific skin manifestations, such as hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair and nail changes [1].

What foods get rid of white spots?

Copper tends to increase the melanin production on the skin and thereby reduces the white spots on skin to a large extent. You can prefer to drink copper water or eat copper-rich foods such as nuts, seeds, etc., to prevent the loss of melanin from the skin in the future.

Can vitamin D cause white spots?

Vitamin D Deficiency

White spots and overall skin discolouration may arise from a weakened skin barrier caused by a deficit.

Which fruit is rich in vitamin B12?

There are ten major sources of vitamin B12 fruits. These are apples, bananas, oranges, mangoes, strawberries, guava, avocado, pomegranate, kiwi, and blueberries. Apples- Apples rank first in the vitamin B12 fruits list.

Can you Remineralize white spots?

Remineralization therapy is a fairly simple and inexpensive way to promote tooth structure preservation. Remember the white spots on your teeth may be reversible in a very conservative way with the use of MI Paste and fluoride treatments.

Can B12 deficiency cause white spots on skin?

Include Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid: White patches on the skin may be due to the deficiency of Vitamin B12 and folic acid. These nutrients are essential for melanin production and may help pigmentation.

What hurts when your iron is low?

Chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath. Headache, dizziness or lightheadedness.

What do low iron spots look like?

People with iron deficiency anemia may experience itchy skin (pruritus) that can become red, bumpy and sore when scratched. Rashes associated with aplastic anemia usually appear as tiny red or purple dots under your skin (petechiae). The dots can form large patches but aren't usually itchy or painful.

What organ is affected by B12 deficiency?

If vitamin B12 deficiency is left untreated, it can cause lasting side effects that affect the nervous system and brain. More severe side effects of vitamin B12 deficiency include: Peripheral neuropathy. Degeneration of the spinal cord.

How can I raise my B12 levels quickly?

To raise your vitamin B12 level, you have to take at least 1,000 mcg of vitamin B12 every day. Over-the-counter multivitamins do not have this much vitamin B12. To get enough vitamin B12, you will need to take special vitamin B12 pills. You can also get shots of vitamin B12.

Which foods increase melanin in skin?

Eating Antioxidant-Rich Foods
  • Leafy greens (kale, spinach, or collard greens)
  • Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, and other nuts)
  • Whole grains.
  • Dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa)
  • Beans (red beans, pinto beans, black beans, and other legumes)
  • Berries (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)

What autoimmune disease is linked to vitiligo?

About 15 to 25 percent of people with vitiligo are also affected by at least one other autoimmune disorder, particularly autoimmune thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis , pernicious anemia, Addison disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis ...

How to reverse vitiligo?

No drug can stop the process of vitiligo — the loss of pigment cells (melanocytes). But some drugs, used alone, in combination or with light therapy, can help restore some color. Drugs that control inflammation. Applying a corticosteroid cream to affected skin might return color.

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