WHITE SPOTS ON SKIN

[peggy_p]

A FEW YRS AGO I STARTED GETTING A FEW WHITE SPOTS ON MY LEGS NOW THEY ARE SPREADING TO MY THIGHTS AND FORE ARMS AND MORE ARE APPEARING.I'M AFRAID I'M LOSING MY PIGMENT ALTHOUGHT I DO GET IN TANNING BEDS IN THE SUMMER TIME ALTHOUGHT I DON;T ABUSE THE TANNING.IGET A TAN THEN GO ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH TO MAINTAIN MY TAN TIL COOL WEATHER SO COULD THIS BE A FUNGUS AND WHAT CAAN I DO TO HELP GET RID OF THESE SPOTS,THEY REALLY LOOK BAD WHEN I TAN BECAUSE THEY DON'T TAN AND REALLY SHOW UP.THEY DON'T ITCH OR FLAKE AND YOU CANT FEEL THEM THEY ARE FLAT WITH THE SKIN.

[DennyAnn]

It could be vitiligo-it's a condition where the skin pigmentation is lost. A  famous celebrity  (MJ) allegedly has it- not that this is any consolation. However, it would be best to discuss this with your doctor.

[k10hill]

I once had small white spots appear on my back and chest and my doctor told me it was some form of fungus that could come from using a bath towel more than once (which i commonly do).  He told me to buy dandruff shampoo and wash the areas with the shampoo until they were gone.  It worked like a charm.  

[suebeagle]

I had this same issue and the Dr. told me to rub a creme for athlete's foot on it every day after I took a shower.  It worked great for me and also for my son.

[dolvid]

My sister had white spots on her back and arms and her Dr. told her it was a fungus from HER going to tanning beds. Apparently they don't sanitize like they should. She prescribed her some kind of cream.

[Randi08]

I have had these white spots and they have slowly spread through out my body .  some have become bumps and some even have brown around them...they itch extremely bad

[captdebbie]

I also have white spots on my legs.  I have had them for about 20 years now.  I was told to use selson blue on the spots.  I think I will try it.  I am very tan, but have never been to a tanning bed, only the sun.  I heard from some one that it is a fungus.

[lizat30]

I have white spots that started on my chest and now is all over my back and shoulders.they are in patches.I was told it was skin cancer.

[chellybeans]

that's is most likely not skin cancer at all. it sounds like tinea versicolor possibly. google that term and look at the images. if that's what you have it is a fungal infection that is often times caught in tanning beds. that is absolutely not the only place people catch it, but common. and it is very very common on the chest and back.

easily treatable. you'll need a prescription.

skin cancer comes by way of scaly sores, weird bumps , lesions etc.
the abcd's of melanoma should be known to you.

look for
a=assymmetry(if you divide a spot down the middle one side looks different than the other, like one side is much bigger or shaped different.
b=border, most lesions should be typically uniform around the edge, sorta rounded. if a lesion looks like a fried egg border it needs evaluation
c= color, more than one color, odd colors etc. very dark spots are not always a problem and are often normal
d=diameter. if it is bigger than 2mm or a pencil eraser it should be checked.

also sudden changes, itching, bleeding, texture changes, bleeding or swelling should be looked at.

you can search the american academy of dermatology and search for tinea versicolor to get more information about what it sounds like you are describing.

hope this helped :)

[OldWmnNaShoe]

I think if you'll check with your physician, you'll probably find out it's something called Tinea Versicolor.  It's a fungus and easily treated with oral meds.  I noticed you posted in March, I seriously hope you've sought medical help by now.

[sweetredj]

I have white spots also ring like spot that itch also i have being getting white flesh color pin sive mole dont konw what too do

[Elise c.]

i have had these spots on my legs and thighs and they seem to be getting worse but i do reuse my towel from the shower and the stories of all the people on this page have helped me i'll try selson blue as soon as i can and maybe that will do the trick.

[meshoo449]

I had these spots too. Went to the doctor and she told me it was a fugus from tanning beds, reusing towels ect. She prescribed me a cream to use and it worked for about a year and then they came back. I then read about tea tree oil and how it gets rid of any type of fungus and for good. Used it and haven't had any problems for about 5 years now. I haven't had to reuse either (and it's cheap).

[KenBLAH]

I recently contracted the same thing some how. I did google search for white patches on the skin. I believe mine to be the following, Tinea Versicolor.

Here is a website you can check out. It's very useful.

Hope this helps,
Ken

http://www.medicinenet.com/tinea_versicolor/article.htm

[tjsmit3]

I saw your suggestion of using tea tree oil to treat Tinea Versicolor...I've used it on cuts and scrapes and also ear infections...but never on my "spots".  I will definitely be giving it a try.  How often did you apply it and for how long of a period?  Thanks, Thomas

[Roboy]

It seems that you should apply it on the affected areas and keep it there for about 30 min to an hour. On some websites it says it's good to keep it on for 12 to 24 hours, but it depends on the person. The selenium sulfide can cause burning sensations on the skin if left on for too long which hapenned to me in the middle of the night when I applied it over my body before I went to sleep.

[Roboy]

oops, I was talking about the shampoo containing selenium sulfide...neeeever mind, but it's good anywayz.

[lyn2411]

Hi there!

I'm also experiencing the same problem and have got white spots on my lower legs. I believe that I've had them for about 5-6 years or so but it seems to have gotten worse and have spread to a wide area over the last 1-2 years. I'm a relatively fair person and its quite embarrassing too because the spots are very obvious - sometimes they even seem so white like they're almost luminous. But I dont think its psoriasis or any other conditions that I've looked up online because the spots are flat like the skin, they're not itchy and are just lighter in colour with no obvious borders around the spot.

I thought it was tinea versicolor and have been applying Nizoral/ketoconazole for the last 1.5 months. Usually after I apply, the spots become less obvious but this would only last for a very short period of time. I've been applying them twice a day but I noticed that sometimes when I only apply them once a day - the spots become even more obvious the next day! :(

Having said the above, I do believe that the spots have been improving in appearance and are less obvious than they used to be (albeit it seems only slightly). If this is really tinea versicolor - how long would it take for the spots to clear up?

Would really appreciate any help. Thanks!!

[AdmiralHalsey]

I think I have the same disorder. Since I was around 12 I have had white spots the size of bb's along my legs and arms. These aren't bumps, its basically like I lack pigment in these spots or something. All the more strange is that they're appearence is eratic, if I get exerted of flushed they are much more visible and ghostly white. Sometimes, like when I'm calm and not exerting myself, they disappear completly. But often it is very noticeable, and, perhaps because I've suffered much ridicule over , are especially noticeable when I get anxious or in social situations. I work out regularly, it has no affect but to make them more visible. Its truly becoming a curse, and I 'll be watching these boards very closely for a few days, hoping for something, any info about what this might be and what I can do to change it.

[btterflylv]

I have had this same problem with my skin, I just recently went to the Doctor for it and he let me know that mine aren't a fungus :( I wish they were. Mine do itch, and I don't lay out in the sun or do tanning beds, but if the skin on my legs or arms is exposed to the sun, my skin becomes itchy and they multiply. I hate the way they look. The Dr. told me that its skin damage from sunburns that I recieved in the past for laying out, and he let me know that they are never going to go away. Hes the second over the last 10 yrs to tell me....

[lyn2411]

Hey there

Just to let you know - I finally decided to get off my bum today and visit the skin specialist about my skin problem (though I did have to wait for 4 hours =_=" since the clinic also doubles as a popular plastic surgery clinic where ppl could get botox injections and etc).

Anyway, the doctor said that my condition is probably heriditary and said that the appearance of the spots would vary with the weather and what activities I am doing. Sometimes the spots are very obvious and sometimes may not be there. He said that the reason why this occurs is because my veins are very close to the surface, and thus becomes very susceptible to heat changes. Whenever my veins dilate, the spots would become more obvious. When the veins shrink, the spots will become less apparent.

There isn't any medication for it and he said that there is nothing to worry about it although it can get quite unsightly at times. He did say that at most the spots will go up until the knee level but it won't go beyond that - which is some extent of relief for me.

[AdmiralHalsey]

Actually, I think I know what your describing lyn. A kinda patchwork pattern of white splotches bordered by veins? I've seen people with that, but mine are small bb sized spots, no texture at all, and they become MORE apparent in the cold, and extend up to my upper thigh. Actually, sadly enough they seem to spread very slowly and are on my chest as well. I have asked a doctor about them, but I got a worse answer than you, something like "Don't worry about it". Thats all nice and well, but I hate explaining them to people who treat me like a leper. Oh well, could be worse, I could be a leper huh lol. I do believe that its just a pigment change for both of us, and we can't do much but deal with, but thanks for the info.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

For white lesions of the skin the differentials would be pityriasis alba, tinea versicolor and vitiligo .

The cause of pityriasis alba is unknown , tinea vesicolor is a fungal infection , vitiligo has an autoimmune origin .

Pityriasis alba usually occurs in children and young adults and may have very fine scales in the center of the lesions.The lesion is usually poorly marginated. Tinea present as white lesions but on covered areas may be brown or reddish in color. Vitiligo usually occurs in the face, axillae and on the dorsal surface of the hands.The lesions of vitiligo is well demarcated .They may start as small patches and slowly spreads to new areas for months and years.

A dermatologist will be able to differentiate the lesions through a complete physical examination and diagnostic tests since most basis of diagnosis for these conditions is clinical.

For the mean time,you may avoid further tanning or long exposure to the sun until the condition has been diagnosed.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Just to add,

One of the more miscellaneous causes of white patches or leasions in the skin is postinflammatroy hypopigmentation. This is usually due to a previous insult to the skin like dermatitis,scarring processes and thermal burns.

Hypopigmentation may resolve and repigmentation follows depending on the severity of the previous injury.

This is just one differential that may be significant to note.

Have you had your consult already?

Do keep us posted.

[les303]

I have just noticed these white spots on my legs and arms  (some the size of a pencil eraser but most are smaller)  It's winter and I'm not in the sun.  I have tried to research it on the web and they always talk about autoimmune disorders.  My grandmother had reuhmatoid arthritis and my mom has hashimotos.  does anyone think that that may be the cause of my spots?  

[les303]

I have just noticed these white spots on my legs and arms  (some the size of a pencil eraser but most are smaller)  It's winter and I'm not in the sun.  I have tried to research it on the web and they always talk about autoimmune disorders.  My grandmother had reuhmatoid arthritis and my mom has hashimotos.  does anyone think that that may be the cause of my spots?  

[AdmiralHalsey]

les, are the spots textured or raised? Or are they just pigment changes? Are they always visible, or is they're appearance random?

[rose685]

I have seen white circular  spot on my feet then gradually saw one on my upper and lower leg.  It's scarttered and not sure what caused it. TThey are about the size of a pencile point and do not itch or scratch. Please help its really frightening not knowing. I am planning to see the doctor but would like to hear what you think . Thank You
Anyone who have information or could help.

[LENA638]

I AM BLACK AND OLDER,I BEEN NOTICED WHIT SPOTS ON SKIN LEGS BUT SPREAD TO THIGH AND ARM NOW , I AM WORRIED THAT IT WILL BE ON FACES, I SHOULD TO SEE DR.? BARBARA

[MRQ]

i have had white spots for as long as i can remember...on my legs, feet, and stomach. i recently started investigating the condition and had a crack with selsun (not selsun blue). I have been using it for the past month and am starting to see some changes, with the patches decreasing in size.

most of the forums say to keep it on for around an hour then shower but i have been keeping it on as often as possible. Although exposing the skin to selsun for around 15 hours a day creates a burning sensation, i believe i'm seeing results.

i hope this will help someone.

[MRQ]

OH and i also found before appling the selsun it is very helpful to scrup the top layer of the skin in the shower with a rough brush as this removes the dead skin and exposes the fungus!

[shreksb]

im 16 and ive had these white spots for a while they are small bb looking spots they dont itch or bother me in anyway but my mom and a frnd of mine tell me its because i dont eat alot..can any1 tell me how 2 get rid of the white spots? tyvm!

[BriarM]

Hello. I   have been getting white spots on my back. Just a few. I think they might be chickenpox scars and that might be it because they dont itch or anything. May be the same for you shreksb. Have you had chickenpox??

[shreksb]

ya i ive gone thru tht already but these white spots i have ive had for more than a year

[oscaromar]

I have a six year old boy that started getting little dry white spots on his upper chest about one year ago but since then they have pread around his neck and all over his face. He tells me that they do not ich or hurt. Can anyone tell if this condition is curable or will it get worse.

[camerolady]

Hi Was just wanting to know what is selsun and where do you get it and also the tee tree oil where do you get it?  thank you  In advance.
   Debbie

[dknj706]

I too have tiny white dots on my arms and legs that stand out more when I get a tan in the summer.  It's not a dry skin condition but rather the absence of pigment.  I tried researching it on the web but only came up with virtiglio and autoimmune stuff.  I have hypothyroid disease and take
levothyroxine and was wondering if that has anything to do with it. No one in my family has it that I know of.  Is there anything that can help>
I try putting sunblock on my face so the couple that I get don't stand out if I keep the rest of the skin pale so the white specs don't stand out.  Any advise out there?

[csue0]

I too have the same condition, and also have your same throid problems and also take throid meds. Have you found any help for your white spots? They get worse for me in the summer.

[alexaal]

I've had white spots on me for almost a year now. Started with one or two on my legs and thighs, but spread to shoulders/arms, butt, all areas of the leg, I have probably close to a hundred of them. They start out as a raised patch of bumps. If itched or irritated they become red. In a few days the red subsides and turn to a milky white. They do not necessarily itch, just at first. I've been to the derm and he prescribed a cream that hasn't helped at all. I haven't been tanning in close to six months, and I have found two new ones tonight and three new ones a few days ago. Although I was diagnosed with pityriasis alba, I am looking for what else it could be, so that I might find another treatment to rid me of these spots for good. I'm not an overly confident person, but my spots definitely make me feel insecure. :(

[vintagechick5]

For a few years I have noticed that I had white, dry spots on my abdomen, chest, and lower part of my arm. They were not very noticable because I did not get a lot of sun and they would dissapear if I put shea butter on them daily. Last week I was in the sun and they became more noticable. My tan was uneven so I used a fake tanner and the spots became extremely noticable from the differece in skin color and they look a sort of cheetah pattern. How can I get rid of them?

[kmma]

I noticed white spots on my lower legs last summer as I got some clor with the sun. I have fair skin w/ freckles so I could have had these spots before but didn't notice until my skin got darker around them. They are flush with the skin, don't itch, and are smaller than a pencil eraser too. As I look closely, these spots seem to be 'taking over' the skin on my lower legs. I really think they have doubles since a year ago. I also notice several up and down my forearms. Being fair w/ uneven skin and freckles anyway, these spots aren't super noticable riht now. With summer coming, though, I remember how they almost illuminate to birght white as I get a little tan. I wish I could post apicture to see if this is what some of you are talking about. I think I will give the Selsun Blue method a shot....next see a dermatologist.

Does anyone know how long it takes to grow back pigment?

[lovesummer]

Hi.  I have been tanning since I was 16. I am now 29. I also have these annoying white spots since 3 years ago. I have no idea why or how but I was freaked out at first.  They did went away on certain days. I have noticed that now  they have been spreading on my thigs. Well end of last year I popped a zit and woke up with this painful big red burning lump on my thigh and I ended up going  to go to hospital. They had to drain it with puss. It was horrible. They perscribed me some medicince whitch kills most of bacteria. WOW it did work !!!! I had to take it for 7 days and after 2 days I noticed the white spots were no longer there. I thought that did it . NOT !!! They came back after I stopped using it. Overall,  I have to say that I guess that they do have medicince which works.  I heavent went back but I do still have the bottle with the name. Its seemed like that was the answer but I just needed to take it for more period of time. Also thank God I didnt get MERSA because that could usually end up bad for some people or deadly !!! I ready a lot about it and its no serious but it could have spread all over for some people. Thanks all of you for great advice!  I will definately try the tea tree oil . Where do I get it ??

[marie1979]

I'm a black woman and I've been getting white spots on my face and body for the last year. Of course I don't use tanning beds lol. I also never use towels to wash my face, I aways use facial pads. I'm not sure what going on with my face and body. Most of you guys hav been saying to use dandraff shampoo. Not sure if I can use it on my face. Anyone have an idea on what I can use onmy face to get rid of the white spots?

[bunnyear]

one of my family members has white spots on his chest.. they are on the sides and one is a small round and the other one is just scattered... but no one in my family had any diseases as such... so what could it be?? and he is dark skinned and i dont think its because of the sun....

[cgood]

I just wanted to say, I'm so glad I came across this site. I saw my doctor today and asked him about the white spots on my arms that have been accumulating over the past couple of years. They are flat, white, small spots, and a couple even look like scars from something. My doctor rattled off something immediately and gave me a cream for it. Well when I got home I started trying to find what it was that he said. Low and behold, he called it Tinea Versicolor. Stop right there.  Thanks to this site, and a posting by KenBLAH Oct 30, 2007 10:44AM, who posted this website:
http://www.medicinenet.com/tinea_versicolor/article.htm
it led me to the following website:
http://www.dermnet.com/image.cfm?passedArrayIndex=8&moduleID=11&moduleGroupID=284
From the first picture, it looks exactly like what I have on my skin. It's called Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis, or IGH. The cause is sun damage. In other words no cure. At least I now know that if I put this cream on my arms for a fungus, that nothing is going to happen except that it's burning and time to wash it off. I hope this posting helps someone else.




,

[kodi888]

Hi There, I'm an asian and had a tan skin I have a lots of white spots on my face and neck I went to see the doctor 3years ago and told me they are only a fungus I tried a fungus medicine but nothing happen, I noticed that when I go to a tropical wether they are getting worse, what I remember I started to have this problem when I used to live in Alaska as soon as I got in a hot wether they get worse. I'm afraid that they are VIRTILIGO I hope not Please help me if you have some idea what kind of medicine you used..Thank you ..

[Cristina001]

I am 23 years old and I have white patches on my arms and upper back.  This problem has been with me for many years. During the summer is is worse cause I spend a lot of time outside in the sun and the patches do not tan.  I think it may be tinea versacolor, but these are scaly like pityriasis alba,  but I am not a child. This condition is getting much worse and is now in the crevice of my arm. I bought selsun blue today, and see how that helps, but I am unsure what this is exactly. I am not sure if the tinea versacolor produces dry white patches.  I also had severe excema as a child, and this looks like that, but not red or itchy, just the scaly part. Does anyone have any ideas?


By the way, everyone who has symptoms of white patches on their face, neck, and chest, it sound like pityriasis alba. It is an excema-like contrition.

[erico]

Im 27 years old and have had these white patches on my bikini line, my upper arms,underneath my breasts and my neck and this started about 3 years now. I have gone to my doctor and he said it was a fungus but nothing else was explained to me about it. It does not burn, itch, flake or bother me at all, it only bothers me cause of how it looks and hate this on my body.In have read stories above and heard that tea tree oil, dandruff (selsun blue) works. I am going to try all of these for sure. But I do want to use something that will make it go away for good and I can continue to go in the sun. I am not a white person, I have olive skin tone and these patches are lighter then my normal color.

If anyone has any suggestions for me please let me know!!

[oscartiff]

Hi I am 42 yrs old and have been developing this white spot patches under my arms (arm pits) on the side of my chest, my feet right at the sole and on my hands for i want to say about 3 years.  Its has only been the past 1 maybe 2 that It has gotten worse.  I due tan and notice them even more in the summer time.  I am very self concious about my under arm area.  they are flat like the skin too.  Some of the patches seem to fade while others seem to get a bit bigger.  I just want to make them go away.  
If anyone has any suggestion please help

[castrojossie]

Thank you so much..Ever since I was a teenager I saw this white small spot on my thigh but I just ignored it.. Now im 32 and the spot has gotten bigger. When I checked out the website for Tinea Versicolor..that is exactly what I have..but the most bothersome are in my butt cheeks can you all believe it  and also I have a couple on my arms..I have here some melaeuca oil im gonna give it a try and im gonna buy selsun also..thank you all so much!!! xoxoxo

And to the lady who said she had white discoloration on the back of her hands and other places..just got the doc..I think thats vitiliglio...My advice go to the doc please..Im glad I got to this website..I also have keratosis pilaris..anyone else have that..I have it on my thighs and the back of my arms.. HATE IT!!!

[Pricilla244]

Hi, I have white bumps from my knee"s down. They have increased over the years. They are bumps not patches. If I  scratch them they have a top comes off. I cannot shave my legs.So I use a electric shaver, this takes the little top off, but no blood. I have suntaned for years, yes they they are bolder. I have read every comment, and I don"t know. Fungus maybe. I have a great Doctor so I"m sure I will take this info. and make with him see our lay research. Big family reunion that mean's swimsuits, shorts, and explations. Got to try something.

Only knees and down. LaDonna

[CuriousTy]

Hi everyone,

I am 21 years old. I have suffered from these white spots on my fore arms, chest, back and legs. I have been aware of this condition for quite some time now, I first got it when I was about 13 and the doctor said it was fungal related. He told me to use selsun, which I did...but it only helps temporarily. I have used a cream called Normspore and it works like a charm...sadly it doesn't take it away permanently. I have tried many methods to try remove it for good, but nothing seems to work.
I am curious about using Tea Tree Oil...if anyone can tell me where I can get it it would be most appreciated.

Ty - Cape Town, South Africa

[Highwinder]

If you are experiencing "white spot" discoloration ONLY in tiny spots (no rashes, bumps, patches, discomfort, or texture changes of the skin itself) you are experiencing a fungus that can be cured with various compounds, such as tea tree oil, selsun-based dandruff shampoos, antifungal foot ointments, etc.  

This discoloration is usually observed /caused by areas of heavy perspiration where bacteria can reproduce until a fungus becomes active, such as armpits, genitals, feet, hands, and under the chin/neck area are common.  Chest and back as well, sometimes behind knees.  The fungus can also be caused by contact with bacteria-covered objects, such as unwashed sweaty clothing or other contaminated surfaces (unsterilized sun tan beds, unwashed clothing, using same towel over and over again, etc).  A fungus can be produced from any high-bacteria environment.

Left untreated, these fungal white spots will not disappear and will spread.  Depending on hygiene practices and/or physical contact, it can take years to spread or it can happen rapidly over a course of only a few weeks.

Example:  arms, legs, and other "open" (regular exposure to air, sunlight) areas of skin can take years.  Genitals much faster, even under a year.   Extreme activity where hands are drenched in perspiration by wearing the same gloves over a course of only a week or two can also produce them rapidly (few weeks) due to immersion in bacteria-breeding perspiration (a fungal petri dish).  Same with wearing the same clothes every day for hard manual labor without washing them, as well as using same towels every day, etc.

How do I know all of this?  Because everything I wrote in the paragraph above has been happening to me, and I'm guilty of all of it.  My symptoms are:

1.  Lots of white spot discoloration around genitals, it's been spreading for 3 years, doctor told me it was "normal", the quack.  That was all until last month.  Note:  area of white spots on genitals were areas of regular male perspiration.

2.  Last month I replaced my roof.  It took me two weeks in non-stop 80-90 degree heat.  I was drenched in sweat the whole time.  Last week I noticed a whole bunch of new white spots all over my hands and fingers, exactly where I was sweating the most - inside my gloves.  I had also been wearing the same nasty clothes during this job, intending just to throw clothes out when done.  Took a good look at genitals, sure enough - white spots/areas had virtually doubled in size!  This is clearly a perspiration-induced bacterial issue.

3.  Other comments in here also show this condition is from bacterial contact from tanning beds, using the same towels over and over again (I'm guilty of that too), etc.  All of which suggest bacterial contact is what is producing this fungus.

Cure:  Bad news first.  It appears after MUCH reading that there is a lot of error in proper diagnosis by the medical establishment.  Even my own top dollar doctor blew it and shrugged it off, the quack.  The good news:  Tea tree oil is available at any good drug store.  So are anti fungal foot lotions, powders, and selsun-based dandruff shampoos.

If you are experiencing rashes, bumps, discomfort or any other physical symptom other than "white spot" discoloration spots only, then you have something different and certainly should see a doctor.

I seriously thank God for the Internet.

[Highwinder]

I forgot to mention that this fungal skin condition is called Tinea Versicolor, and affects up to 8% of the population in the United States.  It is caused by hot, humid conditions.  The good news is that it is easily and permanently treated with anti fungal compounds, both over the counter and by prescription.

Note:  This condition has the same appearance of Vitiligo, but Vitiligo is easily identified by usually being symmetrical on both sides of the body and also changes hair color in affected areas.  Vitiligo is also incurable and does not go away with anti fungal remedies.

[dmatt922]

Should I apply the Selsun Blue while I am taking a shower or before taking a shower?

[scarlett2008]

i've always tanned really well & always evenly even with spf..all of a sudden i noticed a spot right above my belly button. it was white-ish and almost dry. then as the summer went on i noticed little spots on my upper stomache ! i was almost afraid to go in the sun because i had the one on my belly button getting more noticable & i didnt want the other ones to...NOW it looks like my arms might get it ! but no one else sees the ones on my arms..yet..and im hoping never !


-if i STAY out of the sun will they blend back with my skin & never appear on my arms?

ugh someone please HELP i am SOOOOO SCARED.

-scarlett

[IMME161]

IM HAVE WHITE SPOTS ON MY NECK THEY DONT ITCH OR BOTHER ME AT ALL. I HOPE IM NOT DIYING I STARTED NOTICING THEM AFTER I CAME BACK HOME FROM CALIFORNIA IM FROM MICHIGAN AND IVE NEVER BEEN ON A TANNING BED PLZ TELL ME WHAT THESE ARE AND HOW I CAN GET RID OF THEM THANK YOU

[allieqtpie04]

I've had these "white spots" a few months after I found out I was lactose intolerant. Obviously you can't eat/drink dairy products and due to that I completely shut those food out of my body for MONTHS.. then slowly I started noticing all of these spots, they started out pea size then years went by and they are quite large and pretty much everywhere on my body.
I found this online... "Vitiligo is a common condition that affect 1-2% of people worldwide. It is usually visible as a patch of white skin without pigment. The cells that would normally produce the skin's pigment, are destroyed by the vitiligo. There is no know cause of vitiligo, but it is more common with people who have certain autoimmune diseases. The autoimmune diseases are: hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), adrenocortical insufficiency (when the adrenal gland does not produce enough of the hormone cortiscosteroid), alopecia areata (patches of baldness), and pernicious anemia (a failure to absorb vitamin B12 which is caused by a low level of red blood cells). Vitiligo is also common within families, although not completely hereditary. A doctor may diagnose vitiligo by researching one's family history, taking blood tests, and taking a small sample of the skin."

I was actually treated by a B12 shot in my arm about 2 yrs ago and they just began to freckle up and magically dissaper. YES I still have little patches on my hips and under my arms that don't seem to go away but by going to a dermatologist they can give you FREE cream samples and offer to do a laser treatment that can PERMANTLY make these "white spots" dissaper FOREVER!!!

[scarlett2008]

thatnkyou so much !


I am going to

-get selsun blue and scrub my whole body with it
-get b12 shots
-stop having things with lactate in them


I hope this works before next summer.

OH and I was wondering IF the spots on my body had anything to do with me bleaching my hair and maybe the bleach seeping into my skin..the doctor said she didn't think so, but I havent asked a derm.

[butchokoy]

i have a white spots in my arms and every time the temp.is cold if appears obviosly and even when i am arrouse if also it also show...what do you think this is?

[pjsnider]

As for the flat white spots that don't itch or any other problems except being white, I think they are vitiligo. My youngest daughter first had them appear on her inner thigh when she was about 6mo old.Now at 15, the spots are on both legs and her abdomen.They cause her no problems, except they look much more pronounced in the summer after she gets tan. She also has a thyroid disorder and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis which are both autoimmune disorders, but I think the fact that she is 1/4 mexican(she looks white, but her skin is very slightly darker) is the only reason that you can even see it.in the winter, the patches are my color,and the rest looks like she was in the sun for about an hour. This summer she laid out and her stomach got very brown, but the patch was a very bright cotton candy pink,so sun screen will be forced upon her for at least those areas from now on to try to prevent skin cancer in the future.

[DigitalDirk]

I started getting these white spots on my arms, and it started spreading to my chest and face area recently.  I went to the doctor and he prescribed me some cream and pills to take. However, it's not getting any better.  I'm afraid that it's not a fungus (like the doctor suspected), and something else.

I've noticed that where the white spots are, there is no hair growth. It seems to inhibit hair growth. Anyone else notice this?   For example I have facial hair, and where the white spots are, the hair doesn't grow there anymore.

[perezmarili]

THANKS 4 ALL YOUR REMEDIES I DO TOO HAVE THE SAME SICKNESS. I JUST FEEL REAL BAD WITH THIS WHITE SPOTS ON MY FACE, NECK, CHEST, BACK, AND ARMS. I REALLY HOPE THAT THIS SPOTS GO AWAY CAUSE I FEEL REAL BAD.  ITS REAL EMBARRASING FOR PEOPLE TO SEE YOUR FACE LIKE THESE. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING.

[soadgirl24]

I have small white spots that appear on my legs only when I am cold.
They just started appearing within the last 4 months. They do not itch or bother me, I did not notice them until my boyfriend pointed them out.
Any ideas of what this could be?

[muaaz]

As you explain about these white spots are flat on skin and spreading slowly it seems that this is skin condition vitiligo. white spots on skin which feel burning while exposed to the sun is a common symptom of skin condition vitiligo (source of info: http://www.antivitiligo.com/vitiligo/ ). I recommend you not use tanning beds to treat these spots. Because the intensity of uv  radiation in these beds is 3 to 8 time  than the sunlight. There is a great risk for skin cancer by harmful rays of UV.
Further more if you want to confirm your Vitiligo you may use wood lamp experiment for it.

[RancherGirl]

Wrong Wrong Wrong.  Tinea Versicolor is a skin fungus and it doesnt sound like you have that so dont bother with the dandruff shampoo or any of the other antifungal remedies. Speaking from years of research you have sun damage, whether you use tanning beds or not.  There is no known treatment for the condition you have.  The small white spots will continue to spread. Good luck

[RancherGirl]

oh I forgot-your condition is called Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis.

[Iash_02]

I am having similar problems that involve the white spots. i dont tan that often but when i do i never get spots or a burn sensation or anything like that! i just recently went tanning not even a week ago and i got a few white spots on my chest area and genital area except mine itch really bad...im going to try some of the stuff that is being said on here to maybe see if it works! but if mine is itchy does that mean its not a fungus??

[shellbe480]

I have read several of the comments above and can agree on several. I have had spots all over my back on and off for the past few years. I am very embarrased to wear a bathing suit or a tank top because of these. I have recently started to get smaller dots on my mid arm(s). These ones are dry and I have tried scrubs that have sand etc in them to take it away. I was just recently told by a good friend of mine that I am losing pigment in my back/arm. She had this as well and she went to the hospital and got a cream called lamisil. She stated it helped her. She claims it came from the dirty tanning beds. I used to tan all the time about 7 yrs ago but now I go once a month in the winter sometimes twice. Now I am not going at all til I find a solution. I am going to see a dermatoligist soon. I will let you all know what I hear.
Shelly

[jenniferlove]

I suddenly have this white dot (about 1mm) located at my temple area..at certain angles, it look like it is protruding a little. And this week, i realized one side of my face have a patch in lighter skin tone. Im really very scare!! Im not sure if my whitening sunblock is the culprit because those white stuffs seems to appear each time i apply my sunblock.
But i do have a couple of it on my chest too =(

What should i do to make them go away?? Im really scare it is vitiligo. help please?

[jay983]

I am 24 years old and about 6 months ago started developing white spots on my face. Under my eyes and on my forehead.They don't itch or bother me besides the apperance.Once in a while they burn alittle when I dry my face off after washing.I don't use tanning beds or eat lots of sour things. What could the be? someone please answer me

[lmnguyen]

Hi, ever since I moved to a hotter and more humid area, I've been getting dry skin spots on my stomach, lower back, upper thighs (near hips) and the underside of my arms. My mom says it might be eczema but it doesn't itch or have bumps at all. They're almost lighter colored scaly spots but because it's dry it's kind of white.They don't bother me (don't itch, don't hurt, etc) but just look ugly and discolored. It could possibly be that re-using towels fungus (tinea versicolor) but they don't look too much like the pictures on google. They're more dry/ashy looking.

[wad1234]

I am 17 years old, ive had white spots for about a year, on my stomach and my upper legs. it does itch really bad. I thought it was just dry skin. I tried using all different kinds of lotions and dry skin body washes and it didnt seem to go away. I do go tanning. I am gunna go to the doctor because its embarassing i cant even wear a bikni without feeling uncomfortable. i hate it. i hope i can get rid of it. =(

if u have any advice, please let me know!

[aSianGirl92]

I have a lot of small white spot on my arms. B4, i had Tinea Corposis/ringworm and it heals now but then, white spot came out. First, its just around my ringworm but then it spreads to my upper arm and lower arm...its feeling itchy as well. am afraid if its spread whole over my body. am shy to wear any short shirt that expose my arms...it looks ugly. i apply a lot of lotion or oil or whatever but didnt work. what can i do?

[barsaat]

Dear All

I have also same Problem and I experienced it from lack of Sleep and Vitamins.
Remember Don't ever try to take ketchup or any Tomato Sauce
because Sauce increases those White Spots.
Try to Sleep normal and keep your self happy
Don't worry about white spots it will go a way
and there is a very good solution:

1.Metchycobal    INJECTIONS once a week
2.Folvite Tablets     Daily 2 tablet after breakfast
3.Oatkin Soap        use it while taking Shower
4.MELANOCYL + CROLIM  mix every night and use it on the white dots
5.Melgain    it must be use on the white dots after shower daily
6.PlacentLrex Lotion  must be use on all body after having shower

Note:

the above medicens can be find in india
i bought them from India it will not exceed than a 40 - 60 $

so try to Allah is great we hope he will help us


Thank you every body

Regards,

Barsaat

[best_ticket]

i have also white spots on my skin. it is very embarrasing. and it's hard to tell it anyone behind you. i have already these white spots for 15 years.
Please, if anyone know about how to treat it write to my emeil

best_ticket***@****

[fabylous]

Hi there, I am having an issue since last year on my face. Apparetnly , my skin pigmentation has changed. I have  white asymetrical  spots on my face taht makes me look like a dalmation because my natural skin is medium dark. I went to a dermatologist..and he said taht my skin tone will go back to its normality after a year..but it didn't. HE also said taht the descolaration in some areas were due to humidity&dryness which I don't get it..but I don't know..what to do anymore I don't want to put makeup every day.!!!
I desperatly need recomendation or HElp pliz?? thnx.:)

[LeeLee220]

Hey.  I ve just noticed that I have white spots on my face.  It's like they appeared out of nowhere.  Like the others mentioned; the spots dont itch or burn.  And my question is do I put the selsun blue on the white spots?

[sukhi755]

hi after reading all the cases i think my proble is totally different..... i have white spots from 3-4 years its only on my lips the reason of it whenever i go  in the sunshine my lipes get red then it get totally hot than when i got up next day some small acne filled with water arrise than it takes many days to cure.........after this left the white spots which never get original colour...................plz suggest me should i use
selsun blue or what else......one more thing if i met with any accident or skin damage my skin colour never come...................... plz help

[tjay07]

Hey.
I think i too have tinea versicolor. I have spots on my thighs, abdomen, chest and back. Its a lot more obvious on my abs though. I went to the dermatologist once and said it was caused by fungus and said they're were 2 types, one that had a cure and one that didn't. He gave me pills which i took for 5 days and he said that after a few months the spots would be gone if it was the curable kind. I still have the spots and its been about a year. I looked it up on  net and im pretty sure its tinea versicolor so i tried selsun blue. On the bottle it says to put it on, keep it on for about 10 mins and then rinse it off and do this for a week. I did it for atleast 2 weeks and sometimes it seemed like it was going away but than at times it looked the same so i don't think that solution worked for me. Im now interested in tryin the tea tree oil solution.
How exactly do i use it? anyone know?
Thanks
TJ

[jordan_ashlee]

im 14 years old about 2 years ago i started getting little white spots now,i have them all over my back,arms,neck,and chest ive been called names and it really ***** i hate not being able to wear bathing suits without putting a shirt on cause eveeryone is staring at me.im a cheerleader for the high school and i cry everytime i put on my uniform cause all i can see is spots,ive even decieded not to go to my homecoming this year because i dont want to be in a dress where everyone can see my spots.

[bellablack]

Thanks to this board and others like I was able to diagnose and treat myself for tinea versicolor. I got mine after a period of months of high stress and lots of using the laptop while lying in bed or with a blanket over me. Well, no surprise the spots started on my lower abdomen and spread to my upper thighs, then to my back, all the way down to the backs of my knees. Selsun Blue made my skin red and painful (allergic reaction) and Lamisil didn't really seem to help. MY CURE: buying exfoliating nylon gloves and using them to lather and scrub 2x per day in the shower using Nizoral shampoo (I usually leave it on for a couple of minutes). After drying off I use Tinactin cream or spray (the spray is great - dries very quickly). This has helped enormously in just a couple of weeks. I plan to do this for at least another month (skin takes 30 days to regenerate).
Side note: PLEASE be careful with the use of tea tree oil. It can be toxic. Good luck to all!

[yezi45]

Hello.


I honestly have the same problem. Im 18 and have these ugly white spots
on my body, i just want some advise on what to buy and if it works.
Can someone be nice enough to let me know.=]

Thank you

[megmeg1797]

i have white speck on my shoulders and chest, and i went to this site and thought i had the fungus or whatever soo i bought me some selsun blue dandriff shampoo, and i took a shower put it all over my shoulders and chest and went to bed, and when i woke up it burnt badly, i thought it was burning the fungus and i washed it off and went to school, well i came home  and did the same routine and within minutes after putting it on my skin felt like it was on fire, i middently washed it off, and the next day i had a scab inbwt my chest and one on my arm, am i have an alerical reaction or what?
is there other stuff i can use?

[sunshineNrain]

Just wanted to thank you all for your submissions. I too, have recently discovered these lighter colored patches of area on my skin. I first noticed it on the back of my thigh... now my shoulders... it's crazy. I'm certainly going to try a few of the suggestions I read here today. Thanks!!!! :)
Glad to know that I'm not going to be doomed to walking the earth like a spotted rare creature. lol

[chrissy920]

my granddaughter is 5 years old and has had raised white bumps around her elbows and surrounding arm. They started with just a few and are spreading slowly. Also they itch. Could this be some kind of bug or mite under the skin?

[Martin300]

TURMERIC / CURCUMA is 4000 years old medecine spice used mainly in India. Google it , you will find that the spice you buy at the grocery store, mix it with either olive oil or yogurt. Apply on your skin on the white spots or as a ''body mask'' and leave it for a while. Do that every day or twice a day. The white spots will get better and hopefully the cells will heal. That is the purpose of Turmeric / Curcuma to cure the cells from skin diseases, amongst other properties.
Turmeric and Curcuma are the same thing. I buy it in the spices section. Also, I would recommend to double your local application treatment with drinking 1 tbspoon of Turmeric / Curcuma in 1/4 cup hot water as a tea. Drink every day. That will purify your blood and improve your skin health from inside as well.

[viridian]

EVERYONE W/TINEA VERSICOLOR : If you are sure of your rash, it is caused by overproduction of yeast on your skin. I have discovered through much research that yeast (candida) overproduction is usually internal before it presents as a rash. Aside from topical and oral medications, you MUST consider changing your diet to have long term relief. You need to avoid yeast in your diet, and start taking some probiotics. Skin problems are usually a symptom of another problem, not the problem itself.