When these patches clear up, the skin is left discolored, with smooth, light patches taking their place. Pityriasis alba is a skin disorder commonly found in children and young adults that causes pale pink or red, scaly patches to form on the skin. For many people, eczema will even go away over time.ĭoctors can prescribe topical corticosteroid creams and ointments, oral medications, and light therapy to help ease symptoms. While there is no cure for the condition, symptoms can be managed.
The cause of eczema is unknown, but it is thought to be linked to allergies and asthma and is suspected to be an overactive immune response to an irritant. Especially among darker-skinned people, eczema can cause skin discoloration, making the affected area lighter or darker than the surrounding skin. Eczema symptoms include dry, scaly, thickened skin that is almost always itchy. This condition is typically found in children but can continue into adulthood. Sometimes white patches or spots can appear within a red rash.
Read more: What does a normal mole look like? EczemaĮczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes red, itchy, and dry skin as a result of inflammation. When used correctly, the creams usually help ease or alleviate symptoms entirely. It is not contagious and cannot be spread to other people through intercourse.Īlthough there is currently no cure for the condition, symptoms can be managed with the use of steroid creams and ointments. While the cause of lichen sclerosus is unknown, hormonal imbalances or an overactive immune system are suspected factors.
Typical symptoms include smooth white patches on the skin that join together and become cracked or sore, itchiness, fragile, wrinkly or thickened skin, blisters, and pain when having sex or going to the toilet. It is most common among women who have gone through menopause, although men and children can also be affected. It is a long-term condition that usually affects the skin of the genitals. Lichen sclerosus is a rare skin condition that creates thin patches of white skin. The disease can sometimes also flare back up, especially if the patient returns to a warm environment or takes hormonal medication. Many people can eliminate the infection entirely, but the skin may remain discolored for some time after the treatment, ranging from weeks to months. If these medications don’t work, you are advised to contact your doctor for further tests to confirm you suffer from tinea versicolor.Ī doctor may prescribe a topical cream or prescription pills to treat it. Tinea versicolor is often treated with over-the-counter anti-fungal medications, which efficiently remove the discolored patches or spots. This skin condition is commonly found among adolescents and young adults, while it frequently appears in adults when they visit warm and humid climates. Tinea versicolor can be caused by a variety of factors, including hot weather, oily skin, a weakened immune system, hormonal changes, and excessive sweating. When this happens, patches of skin may become lighter or darker. Tinea Versicolor is a condition that occurs when a natural yeast found on the skin called pityrosporum ovale grows uncontrollably and begins to change the skin pigmentation of the skin.
It is important to note that you should never rely only on a self-diagnosis actual diagnosis and advice for an appropriate treatment requires a visit to your doctor. Take a look below at some of the most common skin disorders known for causing white spots on the skin and get acquainted with their symptoms.