White spots may appear on the skin due to several factors, which may be due to prolonged exposure to the sun or be the result of a fungal infection, for example, which can be easily treated with creams and ointments that may be indicated by the dermatologist. . However, white spots can also be a sign of skin problems that require longer treatment, such as dermatitis, hypomelanosis or vitiligo, for example.
When a spot appears on the skin, its size, where it is, when it appears, and whether there are other symptoms such as itching, dry skin, or peeling of the skin. After that, what you need to do is make an appointment with a dermatologist so you can identify the right cause and then start the most appropriate treatment.
Possible causes of white spots on the skin and proper treatment include:
Skin moth, popularly known as white or beach moth, is one of the main causes of white spots on the skin. Moth is a thrush that causes spots that may or may not bite and can spread through large areas of the body.
Despite the name of the beach moth, the person probably had the moth before, but did not notice it until after going to the beach, because the affected area is not tanned. Usually, the fungus that causes this moth inhabits the skin naturally, but due to some alteration, it can multiply and inhibit the production of melanin in the area, resulting in the white spot, which appears most 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 complete the treatment. To prevent others 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.
Sometimes light-skinned or brown people tan when they go to the beach or pool and after a few days the skin comes off giving rise to small white spots, which appear mainly on the arms, chest and back.
What to do: It’s important to moisturize your skin every day, and always wear sunscreen before exposure to the sun because it’s thinner and more sensitive, with an increased risk of burns. Ideally, moisturize your skin well about 10 days before going to the beach and always eat vitamin A-rich foods such as carrots, tomatoes, boiled eggs, papaya and mango, for example, because the more hydrated the skin is, the lower the risk. peel and dye.
Atopic dermatitis is a type of inflammation of the skin that occurs most often in infants, but can occur at any age. Dermatitis usually causes red spots on patches or bumps, but when they go away, they can make the area more whitish. Learn how to identify and treat atopic dermatitis.
What to do: Corticosteroids prescribed by the dermatologist, such as Fenirax, are often needed twice a day. In addition, you should keep your skin hydrated and an antihistamine remedy may also be needed to relieve itching.
Light brown people may develop several small white freckles that can appear on their hands, arms or legs, especially after age 40. This usually occurs in people who have very light skin or who have been exposed to the sun for many years without sunscreen.
What to do: It is advisable to adequately protect your skin from the sun, always using sunscreen when you go to the beach or pool, or whenever you stay more than 15 minutes exposed to the sun. Wearing a hat with gloves on your hands can also be helpful in preventing sunlight from worsening skin lesions.
Learn more about white freckles
O vitiligo é uma doença que leva ao surgimento de grandes manchas brancas na pele, que pode afetar até mesmo o interior da boca. Sua causa não é totalmente conhecida mas acredita-se que aconteça devido a uma alteração genética ou devido a alguma alteração no sistema imune, onde o corpo passa a combater os melanócitos. Saiba mais sobre o vitiligo e quais as opções de tratamento.
What to do: Your doctor may recommend treatments such as light therapy or the application of corticosteroid creams and ointments and/or immunosuppressive drugs, to understand which is the best option in each case. One of the drugs that may be indicated is melatonin plus which stimulates the production of melanocytes and melanin, standardizing the hair.
Hypomelanosis, also known as metis hypomelanosis, is a situation in which certain parts of the body are lighter than the skin of the person and, although sun exposure improves contrast, the affected parts are always lighter than the rest of the skin. Body. This type of skin change is more common in people who have an allergy type.
What to do: Although you don’t need any specific treatment, early morning or late afternoon sun exposure can be helpful in trying to level a person’s skin. Learn more about treating hypomelanosis.
Also known as Bourneville disease or Epiloia alone, tuberous sclerosis is characterized by the appearance of white plates isolated from each other that can affect any part of the body, although in the trunk it is more common. They are often first identified in infants or children up to 6 years of age, and there may be only 1 or more than 100 spots spread across the body.
What to do: A dermatologist should be consulted to confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment to avoid complications such as seizures or even kidney problems. To better understand what tuberous sclerosis is and how treatment is performed.
Decreased absorption or consumption of certain vitamins and minerals can also cause white spots on the skin. The main vitamins and minerals that can cause white spots when they are weak in the body are calcium, vitamin D and E.
What to do: In these cases, it is important to change eating habits, focusing on foods rich in these nutrients, such as milk and dairy products, sardines, butter and peanuts, for example.