Hypopigmented spots that are NOT vitiligo. If the spots are not truly white, but hypopigmented and not
Vitiligo often starts as a pale patch of skin that gradually turns completely white. The centre of a patch may be white, with paler skin around it. If there are blood vessels under the skin, the patch may be slightly pink, rather than white. The edges of the patch may be smooth or irregular.
Vitiligo usually starts with a few small white macules or patches that may gradually spread over your body.
White spots can appear when skin proteins or dead cells become trapped under the skin's surface. They can also result from depigmentation, or color loss, due to vitiligo or another health condition. White skin spots are not usually a reason for concern and do not cause major symptoms.
White spots on the skin are usually a cosmetic problem. They can be just as noticeable and bothersome as dark spots, and they may itch, but in most cases they are harmless. That said, whenever you notice a change in your skin, it's always smart to see a dermatologist.
Milia (milk spots) are small, white cysts on your skin. Cysts are filled pockets under the surface of your skin. The most common place to find milia are on your face. Milia are harmless and only affect your appearance.
Pityriasis versicolor can sometimes be confused with vitiligo, as they both cause the skin to become discoloured in patches. But there are ways to tell the difference: vitiligo often develops symmetrically (on both sides of your body at the same time), while pityriasis versicolor may not.
A skin biopsy can definitively tell the difference between missing melanocytes, which indicates vitiligo, and melanocytes that are malfunctioning for another reason. Vitiligo is diagnosed only if these pigment-producing cells are missing.
If you suspect you may have vitiligo, visit your primary care doctor or a dermatologist. At your appointment, your doctor will likely ask about risk factors such as: Whether a close relative has been diagnosed with vitiligo. Whether you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder.
Truly depigmented spots that are NOT vitiligo
One is idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH), or small spots that appear on skin that has had chronic sun exposure (usually the shins and forearms, but sometimes the chest and back as well).
Vitiligo signs include: Patchy loss of skin color, which usually first appears on the hands, face, and areas around body openings and the genitals. Premature whitening or graying of the hair on your scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard.
Pre-vitiligo patches appear as pale yellow patches before they turn into white vitiligo patches. It is beneficial if one notices them and treats this problem at an early stage and not let it convert to vitiligo. Mostly they start affecting the areas like face, knees, elbows, back of the hand, etc.
What causes vitiligo? Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease. This type of disease develops when your immune system attacks part of your own body. If you have vitiligo, your immune system attacks cells in your body called melanocytes.
Segmental vitiligo is unique, even beyond the fact that it doesn't cross the midline. It spreads very quickly, faster than the other forms, but only for about 6 months (sometimes up to a year).
There are no at-home tests available to diagnose vitiligo. However, you can do a general self-check of your skin and look for patchy or widespread loss of pigmentation (the coloring of your skin, hair, and eyes).
Localized: Skin patches are found on limited areas of the body. Generalized: Skin patches are scattered around the body. Mucosal : Vitiligo affects the mucous membranes found in the mouth and/or genitals. Focal: Skin patches remain in a small area of the body without spreading in the first two years.
Vitiligo is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color. This happens when melanocytes – skin cells that make pigment – are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to turn a milky-white color.
Dermatologists use different tests to determine if you have vitiligo or another condition that produces similar symptoms. Some of these tests include blood tests and a skin biopsy.
Vitiligo is a common skin disease characterized by the presence of well circumscribed, depigmented milky white macules devoid of identifiable melanocytes. On the other hand, hypopigmented mycosis fungoides (MF) is a rare variant of MF which presents clinically as persistent hypopigmented macules and patches.
Deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D and vitamin E can cause white patches on the skin. While harmless, these white spots indicate that you need to eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Eczema, hives, psoriasis, rosacea, picking at the skin and more conditions can all be caused by an increase in stress levels and anxiety. The same goes for alopecia (hair loss), vitiligo (depigmented white spots on the skin) and trichotillomania (hair pulling).
Sunspots or guttate hypomelanosis
White spots can begin to appear on your skin after years in the sun without adequate protection. These spots — called idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) — are generally relatively small, between 1-3mm.
For some people, it may be more visible than others. “It goes away, the fungus is killed off relatively quickly. The manifestations take a while to go away because those areas that are lighter take a while to re-pigment and even out with your other skin.
White spots on the skin are rarely a sign of skin cancer and may instead link to other conditions. However, it is important to carefully examine the color and other changes to a spot because enlarged white, pinkish, or red moles and wounds that won't heal can signify skin cancer.