Why White Spots Appear On The Skin And How To Treat Them

One of the best recommendations is to see a professional when faced with these changes. This will allow them to assess the type of stain, its shape, and when it appeared, evaluate its evolution, and carry out an analysis if required to help determine what has caused the stains.

One of the most common white spots appears with age, after age 30.

It’s not a question of old age, says dermatologist Maureen Barahona,  who explains that there is a condition called guttate hypomelanosis, in which the spot is usually less than half a centimeter in diameter and is usually found on the arms, legs, and necklines. These are frequently caused by long exposure to sunlight.

The person can delay the appearance of the sun by taking care of themselves from the sun’s rays. To do this, avoid spending too much time in the sun, use sunscreen daily in the appropriate amount (two fingers or a tablespoon is recommended for the face), wear long sleeves, and use an umbrella or hat. In general, it is recommended to avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Although the above activities help to reduce the possibility, there is also a genetic component and a family predisposition that could cause it and make the patient develop it even if they take the necessary care.

For Efe, dermatologist José Luis Martínez Amo commented that the sun is fantastic for most dermatological conditions, it is a natural anti-inflammatory and psychologically it helps a lot, but in the right measure.

These white spots are not harmful lesions but rather cosmetic, adds Barahona. Technology allows for the application of some treatments such as microdermabrasion (a treatment that uses water and diamond tips to perform a deep cleansing of the skin), cryotherapy, laser, peels, and other options.

The youngest

In adolescence and childhood, sometimes the so-called pityriasis alba also appears, although it can also occur in adulthood. This is a condition that appears due to exposure to the sun and the spot is usually slightly pale, tends to flake, and also appears on the extremities.

People with dark skin are more prone to develop it, as are those who have been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis or have a deficiency of some protein or fat in the skin, which creates sensitivity and causes this reaction.

Moisturizing creams, some medications, and laser treatments are usually recommended, but that depends on the doctor’s recommendation.

Other conditions

Mayo Clinic also defines other causes of spots as those caused by a superficial yeast infection. This condition can make the skin appear lighter or darker than normal. In this case, treatment may include antifungal creams or shampoos.

It is worth noting that lupus could also be another cause of white spots. This disease occurs when the body’s immune system attacks your tissues and organs, which affects different systems and organs of the body such as the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.

One of its common characteristics is a skin rash on the face that resembles the open wings of a butterfly on both cheeks.

Among the rare diseases is morphea, which causes discolored, painless spots on the skin.

Skin changes usually appear on the abdomen, chest, or back. They may also appear on the face, arms, and legs.

It often affects only the outer layers of the skin. Some forms affect deeper tissues. This improves on its own over time, although there is a chance of recurrence.

Vitiligo

This is perhaps one of the skin diseases that most people fear, adds Barahona. When white spots appear, people usually associate it with that and that is why they seek medical advice.

The color of these spots is usually light pink or paper white, the spots grow and are not well-defined. They can appear in different places and do not spare the mouth, eyes, or genitals.

The causes of this disease are unknown, although the loss of melanin, which is the pigment that determines the color of hair and skin, maybe the result of an autoimmune mechanism.

Vitiligo is often associated with processes of deep sadness, which is why it is known as the disease of melancholy. Although there is a relationship between the skin and the emotional system, it is not causal.

“Patients who have vitiligo will mostly have a genetic and family component that predisposes them,” explains Barahona.

Dermatologist Eva Emperatriz Oliva explains the need to evaluate the patient’s history, perform a clinical assessment and, in some cases, a biopsy is recommended to determine that it is vitiligo and to rule out other processes or autoimmune diseases with laboratory tests.

Treatment options recommended for patients include topical agents, steroids, and vitamin D analogs, among others.

Phototherapy, which is ultraviolet radiation, laser use, and liquid nitrogen, is also used.