WHITE SPOT ON SKIN

[RACHEL_23]

Hi I'm 27 and about a few years ago I started getting white spot on my body legs,arms,back and stomach they started small but now they are taking over my body. what are they? and what can i do?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Two possibilities are there for such depigementation.Firstly,it can be due to tinea versicolor. Tinea versicolor is caused by a fungus that lives in the skin of almost all adults. Factors that can cause the fungus to become more visible include high humidity and immune or hormone abnormalities.Treatment involves topical and oral antifungal medicines.

Second possibility is of vitiligo. It is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. As a result, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body. Diagnosis can be confirmed by external examination, blood tests to check skin cell count  for melanocytes and biopsy of the skin patches.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or in case you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.

[meyveliz06]

Hello there I my self just posted a question and I am only 20 and have had these spots for 7 years my doctor said it was fungus but nothing more try using anti dandruff shampoos and a clean towel after every shower, avoid drying your self with the same towels and apply the shampoo on affected areas. Hope this helps keep me posted.