White patches

[Ilana1]

My 14 month old baby has white patches on her cheeks.  My mom told me it is a vitamin shortage.  Would you please advise me which vitamin shortage it can be.
Many Thanks

[jennyhi88]

Hi Dr,

My 3 month old had dry flaky yellow crusts on her face in between the eyebrows and around the eyebrows. I've put glaxal base cream on and it went away, but I've noticed that her skin has uneven skin tone. There are white abd darker skin. What is the reason for this?

Thanks

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
White patches on the face of children can be due to pityriasis alba. Pityriasis alba is not due to a vitamin deficiency and is a common skin condition mostly occurring in children and usually seen as dry, fine-scaled, pale patches on the face.

No treatment is required and the patches in time will settle in due course of time. The redness, scale and itch if present may be managed with simple emollients and sometimes hydrocortisone, a weak steroid, is also used. Severe cases may require PUVA therapy.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.