We all know that the skin is our body’s largest organ and is made up of water, fats, protein, and minerals. The skin protects our body from microbes and normalizes body temperature. Everyone adores their skin and takes good care of it in order to keep the skin’s texture and youthfulness. The face is usually the portion that gets the most attention.
People tend to take special care of their facial skin, and for this, they try numerous varieties of products.
To keep the facial skin healthy many of us either treat it externally by applying a variety of oils, creams, lotions, etc., or internally- by taking some supplements, juices, and specific foods in our diets.
Nowadays, people want their skin to be clean, healthy, and spotless. Any slight harm to the skin can be a nightmare.
Some of us do have to face common issues like acne, skin rashes, and pigmentation. One such problem which people encounter is white patches. White patches anywhere on the skin and especially on the face can be disturbing and stressful. And for such cases, it is better to seek medical assistance before it gets worse and or begins to spread.
Do not panic! Stay calm and visit a dermatologist. This is what is advised.
Skin discoloration, especially on the face is common and can be in the form of red acne, dark spots, white patches, etc. But any one particular mark on the skin might be a cause of concern.
White spots or patches can be spotted on the cheeks or elsewhere on the face and also sometimes can cover a large surface area or may even extend to other parts of the body.
There are numerous conditions such as allergies and nutritional deficiencies such as vitamins which can cause white spots to develop on your face.
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Most Common Causes of White Patches and How to Deal With Them
Milia:
It develops when keratin (a protein that makes up the outer layer of the skin) gets entombed under the skin and tiny white-colored cysts are formed on the skin. This condition is often seen in newborns, children, and adults. These develop on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and around the eyes. Milia isn’t painful or itchy, and the condition settles naturally without any treatment within a few weeks. If the condition does not recover then your doctor may suggest further treatment.
Pityriasis Alba:
Pityriasis alba is a kind of eczema which causes a flaky, oval patch of discolored white skin to be seen. This skin disorder affects small children aged between 3 and 16. The exact cause of this disorder is unknown. It often goes away on its own within a few months, though discoloration can last up to 3 years.
Vitiligo:
Vitiligo is a skin disorder that is caused due to loss of pigmentation. The patches of depigmented skin can be formed anywhere on the body. Initially, in some cases, the size of the patches may be small but eventually, it increases until white areas do not cover a large proportion of the body. It can develop at any age, though most people do not show symptoms of the disease until their 20s. The risk of having this condition increases if in case there is any family history. Your dermatologist may recommend treatment depending on the sternness of the condition. The treatment can include UV light therapy, oral medication, or the application of topical creams.
Tinea Versicolor:
Tinea versicolor is also known as Pityriasis Versicolor and is a skin disorder caused by an overgrowth of yeast. Yeast is a common form of fungus on the skin, in some people it can cause rashes. In this condition, the spots can be seen as scaly or dry and may vary in color. This disorder can occur in all age groups, but it is commonly observed in people living in humid climatic conditions, as well as in those who have oily skin. People with this condition develop white spots, pink, or brown spots. White spots could be unnoticeable until your skin tans. As this condition is caused due to overgrowth of yeast dermatologists generally suggest antifungal medications. This condition can take weeks to months for the white spots to disappear and the skin getting into its normal color.
Eczema, Seborrheic dermatitis, Psoriasis, and Nutritional deficiencies are some more conditions other than those mentioned above, which are responsible for white patches on the face or skin.
Nutritional or Vitamin deficiencies
Nutritional or Vitamin deficiencies are the main focus of this article. Whether these deficiencies lead to the appearance of white spots or patches on the face or skin?
The answer to this is Yes! insufficient calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin E can cause white patches on the skin. The white patches that appear on the face or other parts of the skin are harmless and only require you to eat and have a balanced and healthy food regime.
This condition is not infectious and spreadable but it might just lower your self-confidence.
Another sign of small white spots on the skin or the face can be a deficiency of Vitamin B12. The appearance of white spots on your skin or face is a lesser-known cautionary symptom that your body lacks essential vitamins.
Our body uses vitamin B12 to prepare red blood cells and also keeps the nervous system healthy. Deficient vitamin B12 levels can lower the levels of melatonin, which is responsible for causing white spots on the skin.
The National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, lists that a healthy adult is recommended to have each day just 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 each.
One such study published in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology noted that Vitamin B12 has a complex relationship with the skin. If you lack this vitamin, it can show its existence in the form of these white spots or other skin conditions like vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, or acne.
One can enhance his or her vitamin B12 levels by taking supplements as prescribed by the physician or by consuming foods rich in vitamin B12 such as dairy, liver, salmon, and eggs.
In such cases, when should you consult a doctor?
As soon as you observe a white spot on any part of your body, may it be a minor rash, make it a point to visit your dermatologist at the earliest.
The Bottom line
The skin is the largest part of our body, any slight harm to it can affect one’s psychological state and can lower morale significantly. Similarly, a single small white spot or patch on the face can have the same action. In such cases, it is advised that once you have spotted a white patch on the face or skin do consult your dermatologist and prevent it from worsening. All you need to do is follow all the prescribed medications and consume a portion of well-balanced and healthy food and have great skin.
References:
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10978-skin
- https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/vitiligo
- https://www.uclahealth.org/dermatology/tinea-versicolor
- shttps://pharmeasy.in/blog/white-patches-on-skin-causes-symptoms-and-home-remedies/
- https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1323743/vitamin-b12-deficiency-symptoms-signs-white-spots-food-treatment
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25559140/
- https://www.spring.org.uk/2022/04/ency-j.php
