White Spots on Arms

Have you been noticing some weird development of white spots on arms? Does it look as if there is no pigmentation on your skin? Wondering what could these small white spots mean? These white spots on skin could mean a number of things. A few point towards some mild skin conditions, while others could mean serious skin disorders. Let us go into the details of some of the causes of white spots.

What Causes White Spots?

Hypopigmentation or white spots on skin can be caused by either a fungal infection or be a sign of autoimmune disease. It is important to visit a dermatologist for the correct diagnosis of these spots on arms. Different white spots on skin causes include some of the following conditions.

Tinea Versicolor

The most common causes of spots is a fungal infection- tinea versicolor. It is caused by Malassezia furfur, a type of yeast. This condition is also called pityriasis versicolor. It is a non-cancerous conditions and is totally harmless. Also, it should be noted this infections is not contagious. The white spots on skin can be accompanied by red or brown spots as well. The red and brown spots fade away quicker than the white ones. This condition occurs mostly during highly humid conditions as well as those with oily skin are more prone to this infection. People with hormonal imbalance or immune system problems may also be infected with Malassezia.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin condition that affects over 1 to 2% of the people around the world. When the skin fails to produce melanin, the skin color pigment, it results in white patches on the skin. The skin does not lose pigment all over the body. Instead, irregular patches are or blotches of skin are formed around the body. Common areas for white spots on skin due to vitiligo are lips, feet, face, arms and hands. It is very common to observe spots on face due to this condition. The skin that is commonly exposed to sun often develops these spots. There is no common cause for vitiligo. But it is seen people with autoimmune disease are more prone to this condition. It is common in families, but not a completely hereditary condition.

Pityriasis Alba

Another skin disorder is pityriasis alba. This condition is somewhat similar to eczema and leads to round or oval and small white spots on skin. You may observe flaky, spots on arms, neck, torso and face. It is very common in children and teenagers with very dark skin.

Skin Damage

Skin damage may cause white spots on arms and face. This damage may occur due to an infection, burning due to laser therapy for removal of unwanted hair. Skin discoloration can also be caused due to tanning beds. The skin may get unevenly tanned leading to white spots from tanning. Some birth control and acne pills may cause spots on face of women.

Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis

Small white spots that are about 2 to 5 mm in diameter may be caused due to idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis. Idiopathic means the cause of the condition is unknown. Guttate is a term that means the spots resemble teardrops. Hypomelanosis means light coloration of affected skin. This condition mostly affects people with light-colored skin. These spots are smooth, and may even be a bit scaly. It is seen as a natural age related disorder as it affects people over 40 years of age.

White Spots on Arms from Sun

White spots from sun is due to the change in skin pigmentation due to sunrays. Large freckles that are called age spots or liver spots occur on back of the hands, arms, chest, shoulders and upper back. These spots indicate sun damage dye to exposure to harmful UV rays.

Tips on How to Get Rid of White Spots

There are different ways to get rid of white spots on skin. In case of tinea versicolor, you may use an over-the-counter treatment like Tinactin or Lotrimin to get rid of the fungal infection. Medications containing clotrimazole and miconazole can be applied twice a day for 2 weeks to clear the infections. A selenium shampoo can be used on large spots of tinea versicolor infection. Other than that, you can follow a dermatologist's advice related to treatment of this condition.

White spots on other regions of the body due to vitiligo have no cure. However, there are various treatment methods that help in slowing down the process of loss of pigmentation. These treatment methods that slow down spread of vitiligo include photo therapy, psoralen photochemotherapy, depigmentation treatment, laser treatment, steroid creams, etc. Pityriasis alba is treated using prescription topical creams that help clear up these spots. Your dermatologist is the best person to ask for advice regarding how to get rid of white spots.

This was some information related to the causes of white spots on arms. Most of the time, these spots are harmless occurrences. However, it is always better to seek expert advice in order to differentiate between the serious and not so serious conditions. Good skin care will help reduce the occurrences of spots on skin.