White spots on the skin can develop as a result of sun exposure, a fungal infection, or a steroid that was injected or applied topically. The white spots may also be from an underlying skin condition, such as pityriasis alba, vitiligo, or milia.
White spots can appear when skin proteins or dead cells become trapped under the skin's surface. They can also result from depigmentation, or color loss, due to vitiligo or another health condition. White skin spots are not usually a reason for concern and do not cause major symptoms.
Nutritional deficiencies
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.
Treatment can help remove sun spots, but it will not eliminate them. Treatment options include OTC topical medicines and professional treatments like chemical peels, laser therapy, dermabrasion, and cryotherapy. Professional treatments tend to offer the best safety and results.
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.
Vitiligo is caused by the lack of a pigment called melanin in the skin. Melanin is produced by skin cells called melanocytes, and it gives your skin its colour. In vitiligo, there are not enough working melanocytes to produce enough melanin in your skin. This causes white patches to develop on your skin or hair.
The cause of lichen sclerosus is unknown, though research has found links to genetic, environmental, hormonal, and immune-related factors.
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.
Sun Protection: Always Wear Sunscreen: Sunscreen is one of the most effective home remedies for white spots on the skin. Sun exposure can worsen white patches, so SPF 30 or higher is recommended daily. Seek Shade During Peak Sun Hours: Protect your skin from direct sunlight, especially between 10 am and 4 pm.
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.
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.
You might have temporary hair loss and a sore scalp after a stressful event like bereavement or a major operation. Your hair may also go grey due to stress. Extreme or sudden stress may also lead to vitiligo if it runs in your family. This is a condition where pale white patches develop on the skin.
Noticing eye floaters is normal, but if you notice a group of new floaters at one time, contact your eye care provider. Sudden changes in vision, including a number of new eye floaters, mean that you should set up an appointment with an eye specialist.
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.
Topical steroids. Topical steroids come as a cream or ointment you apply to your skin. They can sometimes stop the spread of the white patches and may restore some of your original skin colour.
A 2018 review suggests various natural remedies, including ginkgo biloba, green tea, and aloe vera, may improve vitiligo symptoms. However, more research is necessary to determine their safety and effectiveness. People should speak with a doctor before trying natural remedies to ensure they are safe.
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis is a non-contagious skin condition which causes small, flat white spots or patches to appear on the surface of the skin. It is most common in fair skin types and is believed to be caused by sun exposure and ageing skin.
Fordyce spots look like white, yellow, pale red or skin-colored bumps. They may appear as a singular spot or small groups of spots, but they can also appear in clusters of 50 spots or more. They're easier to see if you stretch out the surrounding skin.
Vitiligo may flare or spread due to: Stress. Sunburn, cuts, or other skin damage. Chemical exposure.
Tinea versicolor is a fungal skin rash. It's caused by too much growth of a normal yeast on the skin. The most common symptom is patches on the skin that may look white, pink, or light brown. They may also look dry or scaly.
In addition, patients with LSV also had a higher deficiency of vitamins D and B12, and some important micro- and macronutrients.
Common mimics of lichen sclerosus include vitiligo, severe vulvovaginal atrophy, other lichenification disorders such as lichen planus and lichen simplex chronicus, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, and vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. For this reason, biopsy is recommended.
However, a person applying products to the vulva should do so with caution. Some older research links using Vaseline with an increased risk of vaginal health issues such as bacterial vaginosis. A person should also avoid using anything inside the vagina as this can worsen irritation, itching, or discharge.