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White spots on the skin can appear due to several factors, which may be due to prolonged exposure to the sun or be a consequence of fungal infection, for example, which can be easily treated with creams and ointments that can be indicated by the dermatologist. However, in white spots they can also be indicative of skin problems that need more prolonged treatment, such as dermatitis, hypomelanosis or vitiligo, for example.
When a spot appears on the skin, its size, where it is located, when it appeared and if there are other symptoms such as itching, dry skin or peeling of the skin. After that, what should be done is to make an appointment with a dermatologist so that you can identify the correct cause, and then start the most appropriate treatment.
Some possible causes of white spots on the skin and their proper treatment are:
1. Skin ringworm
Skin ringworm, popularly known as white cloth or beach ringworm, is one of the main causes of white spots on the skin. Ringworm of the skin is a yeast infection that leads to the appearance of spots that may or may not itch and that can spread over large areas of the body.
Despite the name beach ringworm, the person probably already had ringworm before, but only noticed after going to the beach, because the affected area is not tanned. Usually the fungus that causes this ringworm naturally inhabits the skin, but due to some alteration it can multiply and inhibit the production of melanin at the site, resulting in the white spot, which appears more frequently on the trunk and back.
What to do: It is recommended to apply an antifungal ointment indicated by the dermatologist, which may be Isoconazole, Ketoconazole or Miconazole, in addition to the use of shampoo, soaps and gels to complement the treatment. To prevent other people inside the home from being affected, each person should use their own bath towel and not share their clothes. See some ointments used to treat ringworm.
2. Stains caused by the sun
Sometimes light-skinned or brunette people get tanned when they go to the beach or pool and after a few days the skin peels off, giving rise to small white spots, which appear especially on the arms, chest and back.
What to do: it is important to moisturize your skin daily, and always use sunscreen before exposing yourself to the sun because this skin is thinner and more sensitive, with a higher risk of burns. The ideal is to hydrate the skin very well about 10 days before going to the beach and always eat foods rich in vitamin A such as carrots, tomatoes, boiled eggs, papaya and mango, for example, because the more hydrated the skin is, the lower the risk to peel and get stained.
3. Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a type of skin inflammation that occurs most often in babies, but can occur at any age. Usually, dermatitis causes the appearance of red spots, on plaques or lumps, but when they disappear they can make that place more whitish. See how to identify and treat atopic dermatitis.
What to do: it is usually necessary to use corticosteroid drugs prescribed by the dermatologist, such as Fenirax, twice a day. In addition, the skin must be hydrated, and an antihistamine remedy may also be needed to relieve itching.
4. White freckles
Light brown people can develop several small white freckles that can appear on their hands, arms or legs, especially after 40 years of age. This usually happens in people who have very fair skin or who have spent many years exposing themselves to the sun without sunscreen.
What to do: it is advisable to adequately protect your skin from the sun, always using sunscreen when going to the beach or the pool, or whenever you are exposed to the sun for more than 15 minutes. Wearing a gloved hat on your hands can also be useful to prevent the sun's rays from aggravating skin lesions.
Learn more about white freckles.
5. Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a disease that leads to the appearance of large white patches on the skin, which can affect even the inside of the mouth. Its cause is not fully known but it is believed to happen due to a genetic change or due to some change in the immune system, where the body starts to fight melanocytes. Learn more about vitiligo and what treatment options are available.
What to do: the doctor can recommend treatments such as phototherapy or application of creams and ointments with corticosteroid and / or immunosuppressive drugs, to understand which is the best option in each case. One of the medications that can be indicated is Melagenina plus which stimulates the production of melanocytes and melanin, making skin tone uniform.
6. Hypomelanosis
Hypomelanosis, also known as hypomelanosis of the mestizo, is a situation in which some parts of the body are lighter than the person's skin tone and, although sun exposure improves the contrast, the affected parts remain always lighter than the rest of the body. This type of skin change is more common in people who have some type of allergy.
What to do: Although you don't need any specific treatment, sun exposure in the early morning or late afternoon can be useful in trying to even out the person's skin tone. See more about treatment for hypomelanosis.
7. Tuberous sclerosis
Also known as Bourneville's disease or Epiloia only, tuberous sclerosis is characterized by the appearance of white patches isolated from each other that can affect any part of the body, although on the trunk it is more common. They are often identified for the first time in babies or children up to 6 years of age, and there may be only 1 or more than 100 spots spread over the body.
What to do: a dermatologist should be consulted to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment to avoid complications such as seizures or even kidney problems. Better understand what tuberous sclerosis is and how treatment is done.
8. Nutritional deficiencies
Decreased absorption or consumption of some vitamins and minerals can also lead to the appearance of white spots on the skin. The main vitamins and minerals that can lead to the appearance of white spots when they are low in the body are calcium, vitamin D and E.
What to do: in these cases it is important to change eating habits, giving preference to foods that are rich in these nutrients, such as milk and dairy products, sardines, butter and peanuts, for example.