Many people find spots on their faces, and it could be red patches that pimples cause or could be black spots. However, another discoloration issue seen in people is getting white patches on the face. Sometimes these white patches might start from the front and spread to other body parts. Among all the discoloration problems, white spots can make you worried.
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Types of white patches on your face
For proper treatment, the person who got white patches on their face needs to identify the spots they have and what causes that issue. There are several conditions of discoloration on the skin, especially on the face. Causes of white patches on the skin.
Pityriasis alba
If you notice oval-shaped and flaky white patches on the face, it is possibly Pityriasis alba. The condition is one kind of eczema. Even though there is no particular cause of developing this condition yet, but research on the topic signifies that it could emerge from the same yeast that causes hypopigmentation. Exposure to the sun can also cause such kind of white patches on the face. Pityriasis alba develops in an atopic dermatitis setting.
The specific skin discoloration is common in kids and teenagers. Between the age of three to sixteen, this condition occurs. Five percent of kids tend to get white patches on the face because of this skin disorder.
Symptoms
You might notice white patches on the face. It is common to get dry light pink spots on the skin as a symptom.
Affected areas
Such kind of condition mostly affects the face. Otherwise, you can notice patches on:
- Neck
- Chest
- Upper arms
- Back
Treatment
People getting such disorder can use any of the OTC topical steroids. You can apply steroids like hydrocortisone on the dry areas, and it will prevent the redness and itchiness from those patches.
Pityriasis Alba heals on its own. It can last for up to two-three years, but there is nothing to worry. Usually, it goes within one or two weeks, but if it continues more than that, you don’t have to worry about it.
Pityriasis Versicolor
Tinea versicolor is the collective term for pityriasis Versicolor. It is a fungal issue due to the increased growth of yeast. This kind of fungus causes white patches on the face, such spots might vary in color, but you can identify them as they are often dry and occurs as scaly patches. Even though the yeast causes fungus on the skin but sometimes it might just be a rash on the surface.
It is often hard to spot the patches in people with fair skin tones. It doesn’t have to be white necessarily. In this condition, people might get brown, pink, red spots and white spots on the skin. Pityriasis Versicolor can occur at any age. However, people with oily skin tend to get affected the most. People living in humid climates also come in the grip of the condition. Even people having issues with the immune system get affected easily.
Symptoms
- Scaly patches on the skin
- Itching on the spots
- Loss of color in skin mostly in body parts such as chest, neck, back, etc.
Affected areas
It affects from face to other body parts.
- Neck area
- Back
- Chest
Treatment
There are several options to treat pityriasis Versicolor. Since it is a fungal infection due to yeast’s overgrowth, going under antifungal medication seems to be the initial state for treating this skin discoloration. Once the treatment starts working on stopping the growth of fungus, it will take a few weeks to restore your skin color. Discontinuing the topical treatment will cause the reoccurring of fungus. It will help if you visit the doctor frequently after noticing large patches on the skin. Here are the other ways of treatment:
- OTC topical steroid is an effective way to treat pityriasis Versicolor
- Doctors might prescribe you antifungal products such as medicinal soap, shampoo, moisturizer, etc.
- Oral antifungal medication is another way doctor’s recommend as an effective treatment. Using fluconazole prevents the yeast from growing.
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis
Collective term for Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis is a sunspot. Extreme exposure to UV causes white patches on the skin. Sunspots can be massive or can be tiny anything. It affects differently on different people. But mostly, the white spots are circular and up to 5 mm in size. People with fair skin tone tend to face this problem more than others. Since exposure to ultraviolet light causes this condition, it helps if you apply sun protection creams. Sun protection prevents the formation of new spots and the older ones from increasing. Women tend to get this condition earlier than men.
Affected areas
Getting white patches on the face is common in skin discoloring problems, but sunspots don’t only affect the look, but it also affects various areas of your skin. It can affect:
- Face
- Legs
- Back
- Arms
Treatment
Applying sun protection can prevent an increase in the condition, but there are many more ways to treat sunspots. Doctors recommend various treatment options to restore the color of your skin and prevent further discoloration.
- Doctors might recommend you retinoid for increasing the growth of cells and hyperpigmentation
- Another most recommended treatment is for the reduction of skin inflammation using Topical steroids.
Milia
Milia is a kind of skin disorder that occurs due to issues with keratin protein. Keratin is the protein that makes up the outer layer of skin; however, sometimes it gets stuck inside the skin and fails to work. Trapping of this protein creates small white patches on the surface. In medical terms, they name it primary milia. We often see little white spots on newborns, kids, and sometimes adults because of the keratin malfunction.
However, this is not the only reason for the development of such a skin disorder. There are a few more reasons behind the event of such skin condition
- Applying topical steroid cream can cause a white cyst on the face.
- It can also occur due to the process of skin resurfacing.
- Sun damage can also cause the cyst
- Burn can be a reason behind white patches on the skin
Symptoms
- Small Bumps On Face
- Certain Moles On The Skin
Affected areas
Milia is a condition that mostly develops in skin areas around the eye, cheeks, forehead, nose, and sometimes even in the mouth.
- Nose
- Cheeks
- Eyes
- Arms
- Forehead
- Leg
- Genitals
- Mucous Membranes
Treatment
People experiencing this condition don’t usually get any itchiness or pain due to the cysts. It often clears within a week or two on its own even without any treatment. Although, if it is doesn’t go soon, you might see a doctor. There is more than one way to repair the damages of skin.
- You can use any topical retinoid cream as prescribed
- Doctors have a unique tool kit to remove the bumps
- Acid peel is a useful option for healing skin damage
- Doctor might also recommend microdermabrasion
Vitiligo
Vitilgo is one of the most common skin problems seen in people. Regardless of age, it occurs in people from various age groups. It not only creates white patches on the face, but it spreads on the entire body. In the initial stage, it stays as a tiny white patch and then increases; it keeps expanding and end up covering a large area on the skin. The symptoms of vitilgo mostly show up after the age of twenty. However, it can occur at any age. Vitilgo is a severe condition of depigmenting skin due to a lack of melanin. There is a risk of getting vitilgo if there is any family history of this disease.
Symptoms
- Discoloration of skin in various areas. Mostly initiates with patchy depigmentation on the face, hands, arms, genitals, the area around the mouth, and other body parts.
- White hair, eyelashes, eyebrows at an early stage.
Affected areas
The depigmentation of skin doesn’t only leave white patches on the face, but it also affects several body parts. It affects the face, hands, arms, feet, legs, and genitals too. There could e rare cases where the white patches don’t spread all over the body.
Treatment
There is no such permanent cure for vitilgo. But you can stop it from increasing. There are several treatment options according to the severity of the condition on a patient. Whenever you notice discoloration in hair and mucous area, it’s time for you to visit the DoctorDoctor.Here the ways doctors recommend for treating vitilgo
- Doctor might tell you to get the ultraviolet light therapy
- You can apply Topical creams as per the prescription
- You can also get the oral medication. In this way of treatment, it prevents the discoloration from spreading all around and helps restore the color.
- Another effective remedy is to get skin grafts. Skin grafts are a process where the Doctor replaces the depigmented part of the skin with pigmented skin from another part of your body.
Diseases that cause white patches on the face
Vitilgo is a wrong kind of skin condition, but it worsens when it starts to develop white spots on face. Here is a list of diseases that cause discoloration on the face:
Eczema
It is a curable disease, but it comes with itchiness. The white patches on face are results of skin inflammation due to chronic skin disease. Getting itchy rashes on the outer layer of the skin is a symptom of eczema.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease common in people mostly in adults. Consuming too much alcohol, smoking, lack of vitamin D, stress, etc. causes psoriasis. Even insect bites can cause this condition, which makes the skin dry and itchy. It causes white patches on the face and body.
Nutritional deficiency
Lack of vitamins such as vitamin D, E, calcium can leave white spots on the face. It is curable. Instead of stressing about the patches, if you start eating food containing these vitamins, it will help restore skin color.
Frequently Asked questions
Why do people get white patches on face or skin?
Several diseases cause white patches on the faceand other body parts. But what mostly causes such patches or spots is lack of proper nutrition. Lack of vitamins, such as vitamins D and E, causes white patches. Such kind of spots indicates that all you need to do it eat nutritional food.
Is it true that dandruff can cause white spots on the face?
Yes. Dandruff can indeed cause skin irritation, such as white spots on face. It will help if, in such conditions, people use anti-dandruff shampoo containing ZPTO.
Is there any home remedy to get rid of white patches on the face?
Even though there are several beneficial home remedies, but it is essential to consult a dermatologist first.
- Consuming buttermilk regularly can help
- Consuming water mixed with eight grams of powdered dry pomegranate leaves every day early in the morning.
- Having ginger juice to increase blood flow on the patchy areas
- Keep water in a copper vessel overnight then drink it
- Making a mixed powder of edible leaves, fruits, and flowers, mixing it with water, drinking it, etc.
When to reach for help from a dermatologist?
Skin depigmentation conditions such as vitilgo do not have any cure. Still, to stop the patches from increasing and covering an ample space in the body, it’s essential to consult the doctor as soon as possible. If you certainly notice the loss of color in your skin and hair, you need to rush to the doctor. Whenever you notice any white patches on the faceor any other body part, you must consult a dermatologist for further medication.
What kind of food you need to avoid for white patches on your skin?
Whatever food we consume affects our body, skin, everything. Consuming certain foods can increase the risk and spread of white patches. Diet, including caffeine and alcohol, should not be included in your food habit if you have white spots. Here are some of the foods that will help if you avoid keeping them in your diet:
- Alcohol
- Gooseberries
- Seafood
- Coffee
Conclusion
Be it minor or significant; any uncertain white patch on your face can be a risk factor. It will help if you consult a doctor before anything. Dermatologists will inform you about the cause behind those white patches on the face along with the treatment.