White spots and patches on skin, lips, fingernails, teeth, tonsils and genitalia

Home › White spots and patches on skin
These are the most common skin problems faced by all of us at least at some point in our life.
Pigmentation of the human body and the skin colouration is genetic and hereditary.

In some persons this mechanism goes haywire leading to white or dark spots and patches. These disorders of skin may be due to deficiency of vitamins, genetic factors, infections, damage to skin by injuries, autoimmunity and many unknown factors.

Avitaminosis (vitamin deficiency disease)
The deficiency of B complex vitamins, especially vitamin B12 is found to lead to white spots and patches on the skin.
With supplementation of the vitamins this condition is cured.

Pityriasis alba
This facial skin disorder of white spots and patches normally affect children, more often boys.
Initially this appears as small round or oval white spots and these grow and merge to form white patches.
Good nutritious food and stress free life seems to improve the skin health and rid it of the disorder.
These may affect other parts of the body also. Usually these disappear after sometime.

Vitiligo (leucoderma)
Vitiligo is non contagious skin disorder giving rise to white spots and patches on the skin.
Autoimmunity is the primary cause for vitiligo white spots and patches.
Melanocytes, the pigment producing cells in the body get killed by immune cells, the reason for which is not known.
These vitiligo patches may disappear in some persons and may also grow to cover much of the body in others.
About 1-2% of human population suffers from this disorder.
In some families vitiligo is seen as a hereditary factor. In some persons, old skin injuries may also turn into vitiligo white patches.
Recent advancements in treatment and surgery have opened the door of hope for vitiligo affected persons.

Milia (milk spots or oil seeds) Milia (milk spots) are small cysts filled with keratin appearing on the mouth roof, genitalia, nose and eyes as raised white spots and are harmless.
In children they may disappear after sometime, were as in adults if required they have to be removed.

Fordyce spots
These are pale or white spots and appear on the genitals and the lips.
These white spots are sebaceous glands without hair follicle association (ectopic sebaceous gland).
These white spots are harmless and are of cosmetic concern only. They respond well with acne treatments.

Skin Damage
Skin damage due to injuries, burns and infections can lead to white patches on skin.
These white spots are due to loss of melanocytes, the pigment producing cells.
This depigmentation can be corrected to great extend with chemo and laser therapy.

White spots on skin from tanning beds
The pressure points where the body is supported while lying down has decreased circulation.
These points may develop white spots and patches due to insufficient tanning.
By shifting position regularly during tanning these white patches can be avoided.
In person with skin infection the infected regions of the skin may tan less and develop into white patches.

Nevus depigmentosus
This hypo-pigmentation skin order is noticed in many cases right from birth.
These white spots and patches are non contagious, harmless and stable and considered as birthmarks.

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis
It is presumed that this could be genetic disorder of the skin and it can give rise to white spots or patches on it.
Especially persons with tanned skin show prominent white spots and patches if they are affected.

Tinea versicolor
White spots and patches on skin may appear due to infection of the skin by yeast (Malassezia furfur and M.globosa).
Though these yeast are normally present in our skin they become problematic under certain conditions like warmth and humidity.
These white spots on skin are round, oval or irregularly shaped, growing and merging to form large patches.
This disease usually affects the back and the chest, though it may appear on any part of the body.
In fair skinned people they appear as lighter spots and in dark skinned people they appear as dark spots.
There can be extreme pin-prick itching on the spots.
Prolonged treatment is necessary with antifungal application to control and cure it.

Leprosy
Leprosy in the early stages is diagnosed by the presence of a few white spots on the skin which are numb, pale and shining when compared to the surrounding skin.
These white spots are due to the body's immune response to contain the infection and in the process, the melanocytes (pigment producing cells) also get killed giving rise to white spots and patches.
White spots and patches lacking sensation require immediate medical attention.

There are three causes for whitening or white spots on the finger nails.
Total whitening of the fingernail may occur in case of kidney failure, liver failure, protein malabsorption and as side effect of certain drugs like sulphonamides.
Partial whitening or discolouration in bands occurs on physical injury to nail, chemotherapy and cirrhosis.
The most common form is the appearance small white spots on the fingernail due to small injuries to the nail matrix.
These white spots will move away from the base and get clipped in two months of time.
If the white spots are on several fingernails and keep appearing freshly, it may indicate the deficiency of the trace mineral zinc. They will disappear on taking zinc supplements.

White spots on teeth
White spots on teeth occur due to dental fluorosis which in turn is caused by excessive exposure to fluorides. Children between 3 months to 8 years of age are the most affected.

Thrush (candidiasis)
Yeast infection of the mouth is called oral thrush and it appears as white patches inside the mouth and tongue.
Mostly infants, elderly persons, sick persons and persons suffering from indigestion get thrush. Antifungal applications and mouthwashes may cure thrush.

Leukoplakia
In this condition white spots and patches appear due to excessive growth of cells in mouth and tongue.
In very rare cases these raised white spots or patches may become malignant (cancerous).

Oral lichen planus
White Spots on Fingernails (Leukonychia)
These white spots or lines appear on the tongue as a network and the cause is not yet known. Mostly they disappear by after some time.
Maintaining oral hygiene will help in resolving the condition.

White patches on tonsils
These patches on tonsils are formed due to infections.
Treatment with antibiotics and applications can cure in most of the situations.
In chronic cases surgical removal of tonsils (tonsillectomy) is recommended.

Tonsil stone (tonsillolith)
This is a white calcareous matter formed at the tonsillar crypts sometimes protruding.
They are usually harmless and may cause bad breath. They fall off usually and they can also be removed.

Albinism
Albinism is a genetic trait caused by recessive genes. The whole body including eyes and hair lack melanin pigment.
This skin disorder being hereditary has no cure. The skin of albinos get easily sunburned.
Sun poisoning may also occur fast and the skin may turn reddish in reaction.
Eyes cannot tolerate bright light as they are lacking pigment to filter it.

Leucism
Leucism is skin development disorder characterised by hypopigmentation caused by reduction in all pigments.
This may also appear as white patches. The eyes may appear normal.
In fetal development, defects in pigment cell differentiation and /or migration from neural crest to hair or skin result in leucism.

For related information on skin inflammation (dermatitis), white spots and skin sensitivity read the following posts.

1. Vitamin B6 ( pyridoxine, Pyridoxal phosphate, pyridoxamine) deficiency can cause skin inflammation (dermatitis)
2. Folic acid (vitamin B9) deficiency causes dermatitis( skin inflammation)
3. Vitamin b1 deficiency causes skin sensitivity
4. Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) deficiency causes white spots on the skin

For further skin care tips and information read the following posts.

1. The wonder super food spirulina for skin care
2. The wonder super food olive oil for skin care

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis - white spots - causes - symptoms - diagnosis

Home > White spots on skin, lips, fingernails, teeth, tonsils and genitalia > Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis > Treatment > Causes - symptoms - diagnosis

The causes for Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis are not exactly known but for its treatment and cure, differential diagnosis has to be done to exclude similar looking disorders.

The exact causes for the appearance of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis white spots are still under investigation.

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis causes

As these white spots appear on the exposed parts of the body it presumed that the exposure to sunlight could be the cause for their appearance.
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis appear on most exposed parts of the body like the shin, forearms, shoulders and neck indicating that sun exposure as the likely cause of their appearance.
These white spots appear in the late twenties in some cases but their prevalence is from the early thirties onwards; the concurrent reason could be due the aging process.
In young children and adolescents these white spots are very rarely seen; another indication that the aging process and sun exposure are the main causes.
One of the reason is being light-skinned as these hypomelanosis lesions are rarely seen in darker skinned individuals.
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis causes white spots in more number of women than men in the thirties and later on both the genders get equally affected.
In some cases the disorder seem to run in families genetic tendency and inheritance seemed to be one of the causes for these white spots.

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis symptoms

• The macules are small in size usually between 2 to 5 mm; one of the important symptoms.
• In very rare instances size up to 10 mm is encountered.
• The lesions are flat and are discrete, circular, oval or angular in shape.
• They usually affect light-skinned individuals; another important symptom.
• They appear on the sun exposed parts.
• Hypomelanosis macules usually appear first on the legs.

Differential diagnosis of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis

• The macules first appear on the legs and later on forearms. Diagnosis: excludes flat warts, Pityriasis alba and pityriasis versicolor.
• These white spots are discrete and do not show darker border. The lesions are small in size and in very rare cases may reach a diameter of 10 mm. Diagnosis: excludes vitiligo.
• The lesions do not lose sensitivity. Diagnosis: excludes leprosy lesions.

In rare instances histological studies are required for the diagnosis of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis white spots.

Pityriasis alba pale or white spots/ patches on children faces

Pityriasis alba > Causes > Diagnosis > Treatment

Pityriasis alba is an atopic dermatitis with hypopigmentation affecting children mostly on the face as white/pale spots and patches.

Pityriasis alba is chronic in nature and affects children of the age between 3 and 16 years. It is non-cancerous and appears as oval and round dry pale patches, especially on the children's cheeks. To start with the patches may be pink or red. Later the rash fades and gives a pale look with depigmentation in the affected areas.

These hypopigmented pityriasis alba patches appear oval and round, slightly erythematous and scaly. These spots usually affect the chin, cheek and mouth areas of the face of the kids. The border of the pityriasis alba rash is not clearly marked. The spots appear to blend gradually with the normal skin. On closer examination the affected area show whitish scales and hence is the name pityriasis alba (white scales).

The lesions are not completely depigmented. 50% of the kids are affected only on the face by these patches. These white areas are more noticeable in kids with dark or tanned skin. In addition to face in some cases these hypopigmented patches may involve neck, arms and shoulders of the affected kids. The trunk and legs are rarely involved in pityriasis alba afflictions.

The affected kids may show multiple lesions numbering even up to twenty, varying in size from 1 - 5 centimetres. Both sexes are affected and boys are more prone to develop it. In dark skinned kids the pale lesions are very prominent. Though the children are asymptomatic, their cosmetic appearance is of concern to parents.

These lesions do not tan. In the summer months the pityriasis lesions appear more prominent due to tanning of the surrounding skin. In winter and in dry climate the lesions flake. These pityriasis alba affected spots may remain for months or years and resolve after some period of time with the growth of children.

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) deficiency causes white spots on the skin

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin of the B complex and one of its form is known as Cyanocobalamin.
Vit B12 is vital for the normal functioning of the nervous system and in the production of other B complex vitamins. It is essential for the fatty acid metabolism for energy production and DNA synthesis.

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) is only synthesized by bacteria and cannot be produced by animals and plants.
Bio-synthesis and vitamin B12 production is carried on by gut bacteria. Very insignificant amount of vit B12 is synthesised by human gut bacteria.
The gut bacteria of the herbivores synthesise great quantities of this vit B12 and excess vit B12 production is stored in their liver and red tissues.

Causes of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) deficiency
Deficiency of vit B12 occurs either due to insufficient intake or poor absorption, as usually the cause in elderly persons.
Certain intestinal disorders like chronic atrophic gastritis, wherein absorption of food is impaired, can cause vit B12 deficiency.
As vitamin B12 naturally occurs in animal products like egg, meat and milk, the vegans who renounce the above vit B12 rich foods can develop severe deficiency of cyanocobalamin unless they take supplements.
Persons with severe infestation of intestinal parasites and worms will suffer deficiency of vit B12 as the parasites will compete with the host for the available vit B12.
In alcoholics symptoms and effects of vit B12 deficiency are pronounced due poor nutritional habits and the interference of alcohol in the absorption and utilisation of vit B12.

Vitamin B12 deficiency causes
The deficiency vit B12 (cyanocobalamin) can lead to Megaloblastic anemia wherein blood corpuscles are enlarged.
The deficiency of this vitamin can cause severe and irreversible damage of the brain and nervous system.
In slight vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms like depression, dementia and fatigue may be experienced.
Vit B12 deficiency in its severity has been found to cause symptoms like mania and psychosis.
Early symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are itching or pain in tongue, white spots on the skin due to lack of melanin in the area.
Symptoms also include sharp and tingling pain on the hand or wrist, sores on the corners of the mouth and nerve shock in the side of the body.
Vit B12 deficiency symptoms also show as breathlessness, twitching of the eye, memory loss and disorientation, migraine headaches and suicidal tendencies.
Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms and changes become irreversible over a length of time and may not be corrected even with supplements.

Vitamin B12 benefits for skin care and skin health
Vitamin B12 is very essential for sensitivity and skin's sensory functions. Deficiency of vitamin B12, by damaging the nerves, causes sensitivity, numbness and loss of sensation on parts of skin.
Vitamin B12 has some effect over the production and deposition of melanin pigment on the skin.
Vitamin B12 deficiency causes white spots on the skin.
These vit B12 deficiency white spots on skin, lack melanin and occur anywhere on the body. These vit B12 deficiency caused white spots may be itchy, often occurring on the outside of the forearm.
These B12 deficiency white spots may grow white hair.
If vit B12 supplement is not given to correct the deficiency, these vitamin B12 deficiency white spots will get whiter and skin may be itching.
With the passage of time these vit B12 white spots will become very dry and flaky and red/pink raw spots of lower layers of skin will get exposed. These white/pink/red spots will get infected and itching and other symptoms of skin diseases and dermatitis set in.
Dermatitis caused by vitamin B12 deficiency Vitamin B12 deficiency can also give rise to itching of the skin.
A person afflicted by itching gets relief and benefits from cyanocobalamin food supplements.
Symptoms like sores at the corners of the mouth, occasionally extending along the edge of the lip reveal the presence of cyanocobalamin deficiency.
Sometimes symptoms like darkness or paleness in skin color due to vit b12 (cyanocobalamin) deficiency is encountered caused by reduced circulation and lack of nutrients to the skin.

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) Toxicity
Toxicity of vitamin B12 may occur in very high doses and dermatitis and stomach irritation are main symptoms.
In some cases when used along with antibiotics side effects have been encountered with varied symptoms. Hence cautious observation should be made.
High doses of vitamin B12 may mask the symptoms of deficiency of vitamin B9 (folic acid).
Food Sources of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
Good vit B12 foods are meat, liver, shellfish, milk and eggs. A very high value vit B12 food is liver.
Plants do not supply the vitamin. Vegetarians who do not take even eggs have to take supplements with their food to ward off deficiency.

Recommended dietary daily allowances of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) are as follows:
Infants and children
one year to 3 years: O.9 micrograms
4 years to 8 years: 1.2 micrograms
9 years to 13 years: 1.8 micrograms
Teenagers and adults
14 years to 18 years: males 2.4 micrograms; females 2.6 micrograms
Above 19 years: males 2.4 micrograms; females 2.6 micrograms
Pregnant women: 2.8 micrograms
Lactating mothers: 2.8 micrograms
For related information on skin inflammation (dermatitis), white spots and skin sensitivity read the following posts.

1. Vitamin B6 ( pyridoxine, Pyridoxal phosphate, pyridoxamine) deficiency can cause skin inflammation (dermatitis)
2. Folic acid (vitamin B9) deficiency causes dermatitis( skin inflammation)
3. Vitamin b1 deficiency causes skin sensitivity

For further skin care tips and information read the following posts.

1. The wonder super food spirulina for skin care
2. The wonder super food olive oil for skin care

For further information please visit http://www.thedynamicnature.com/vitamins/vitamin%20B12.html.