white skin spots Loss of normal skin color is a common problem. It can happen in a number of was which include the appearance of white skin spots, dark spots or other skin color changes. The appearance of white spots on the skin is a more common and widespread skin condition. White skin spots usually indicate a loss of skin pigmentation. This is a condition caused by a number of factors. The spots could occur in a number of places including the neck, back, face, legs and arms. Usually these spots are harmless although in other cases depending on the cause, they may result in burning sensations causing itchy feet or the area they affect. The common problem is when they point to an underlying skin problem such as lack of nutrition or when they create an ugly appearance.
Some of the common causes of white spots include the following;
Some of the common causes of white spots include the following;
- Vitiligo - This is one of the main causes of spots on the body. It comes about as a result of destruction of melanocytes. These are cells which produce melanin, the skin coloring pigment. While the exact cause of vitiligo is not known, it has been associated to autoimmune disorders. It affects much of the body parts with white spots lips, hair, nose neck, and other exposed parts of the body.
- Tinea Versicolor - This is a fungal infection that results in itchy white spots on legs and other body parts where the fungus is active. The fungus interferes with the production of melanin causing the white patches. It tends to occur during warm and humid weather. It can be easily treated by prescribed oral anti fungal medications.
- Psoriasis - This is also a common skin condition which occasionally leads to white spots on legs especially the knees and also on the elbows. It also affects other body parts like the scalp and palm of hands and soles of the feet. The patches are scaly and crusty. It is best treated by prescribed medicine from a doctor. You can also avoid conditions that tend to flare the condition up like stress, infections and ease the symptoms by moisturizing the skin.
- Leprosy - This condition affects the skin damaging nerves and causing white lesion on the body. It may also cause itchy feet but usually is associated with a loss of sensation/ feeling in the skin.. It can worsen over time leading to greater damage on the muscles if not treated. It is treated by antibiotics like rifampin, dapsone, clofazimine and macrolides.
- Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis - This condition results in flat white spots about two to five millimeters in diameter. It is a condition common among women and people of fair skin. The cause of the condition is not known but it’s associated with natural aging occurring in people above 40 years.
- Pityriasis Alba - This is a skin that affects children and adolescents. The condition leads to development of dry and scaly white patches on the face. These patches become more visible during summer. The cause of this condition is unknown. Other conditions that cause white spots on lips and body include milia and rare conditions like mycosis fungoides.
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