Light spot on baby face

Discolored Skin | East Carolina Dermatology and Skin Surgery, PLLC

Written by WebAdmin on March 24, 2020. Posted in Uncategorized

If you are a parent and just noticed that your child has suddenly developed discolored skin tone patches on their face or body, you may wonder what the cause of this sudden skin discoloration is and whether it is treatable. You may be surprised to hear that skin pigmentation conditions are common in children, and most are no cause for alarm and easily treatable.

Read on to learn about three causes of discolored skin on children and how these skin conditions are treated.

1. Pityriasis Alba

If your child’s skin pigmentation change consists of patches of lighter skin on their face, especially on their cheeks, and/or their upper body, then they may suffer from a common childhood skin condition called pityriasis alba. This skin condition typically affects children between the ages of 3 and 16 years old and often resolves over time without needing treatment.

Pityriasis alba patches typically feel dry and scaly and most commonly affect children with dry skin. These patches of skin often become more noticeable after your child spends time in the sun, because the skin surrounding these patches may darken with sun exposure, while pityriasis alba patches rarely tan.

Mild cases of pityriasis alba can be treated with a simple moisturizer to relieve dry skin discomfort, although dermatologists often recommend hydrocortisone creams for more severe cases of pityriasis alba. To minimize the appearance of pityriasis alba patches, apply sunscreen to your child’s skin before sun exposure to prevent tanning of skin surrounding pityriasis alba patches that typically do not tan.

2. Tinea Versicolor

Another common cause of blotchy skin discoloration in children is a skin infection called tinea versicolor. While often referred to as a fungal infection, this skin condition occurs when a child’s immune system overreacts to a type of fungus called Malassezia furfur that is typically present on all healthy skin.

The telltale sign of a tinea versicolor skin infection is the presence of patches of dark-, light-, and/or pink-toned skin on a child’s neck, chest, back, abdomen, and/or face. As with pityriasis alba, tinea versicolor patches can become more noticeable after sun exposure as the skin around light tinea versicolor patches darkens in the sun as tinea versicolor patches do not.

While no cause for alarm, tinea versicolor infections should diagnosed and treated by a dermatologist. Your child’s dermatologist can prescribe a topical anti-fungal medication that can get the infection under control quickly.

Unfortunately, this condition is very likely to return. To avoid its return after anti-fungal treatment, keep tinea versicolor-prone areas of the body cool and dry when possible and treat new discolored skin patches with an anti-fungal medication as soon as they develop before the infection begins to spread again.

3. Vitiligo

Vitiligo is another common cause of skin discoloration in children. An estimated one to two million people in the United States suffer from vitiligo, and over half of all vitiligo sufferers are children and teenagers. While there are many types of vitiligo, the most common type is vitiligo vulgaris. This skin condition occurs when a child’s immune system attacks skin melanocytes, which are skin cells that produce pigment, for no known reason.

When a child first begins developing vitiligo, a single spot of lighter skin called a macule may appear on their body. Over time, the single lighter spot may grow in size and spread over the body. The most common areas of the body that are affected by vitiligo include areas frequently exposed to the sun; skin around the eyes, nostrils, and mouth; and the genital area.

Thankfully, many vitiligo treatments can be very successful, including topical corticosteroid or anti-inflammatory creams and UV light therapy.

If your child has suddenly developed blotches or patches of uneven skin tone, then they may be suffering from one of these common childhood skin conditions or one of many others that can cause a sudden change in skin tone. Contact the staff at East Carolina Dermatology and Skin Surgery, PLLC, to schedule a skin exam for your child with one of our trusted dermatologists today.

Tinea Versicolor in Babies and Children

Tinea versicolor is a fungal condition that shows up as flat patches of discoloration on the skin. You may notice the patches on your child's chest, on his back, under his arms, on his upper arms, or even on his neck and face. The patches can range from white to pink and from tan to dark.

Have you noticed small patches of discolored skin on your baby or child? If the patches are spreading (and possibly slightly itchy) it could be tinea versicolor skin infection. It’s unusual for babies and children to have tinea versicolor as it typically occurs after puberty, but it can happen.

Tinea versicolor isn’t contagious. It also can’t be fully cured. However, there are ways you can help your child manage the symptoms.

© Dr. P. Marazzi / Science Source

What is tinea versicolor?

Tinea versicolor (also called pityriasis versicolor) is a non-contagious skin condition that shows up as patches of discoloration on the skin. The word “versicolor” actually refers to the variable color of the spots or patches; they can be either hyperpigmented (dark) or hypopigmented (light). Most often they appear pink or tan on lighter skin, and as light patches on darker skin.

A normal skin yeast may overgrow and cause the uneven skin color to appear. Anyone can get tinea versicolor. However, it is most common in teenagers and young adults. The yeast, called Malassezia furfur, may also cause skin conditions like dandruff.

(See what tinea versicolor and other skin rashes look like in BabyCenter’s visual guide to children's rashes and skin conditions).

Tinea versicolor symptoms

The rash typically begins on the upper arms, back, chest, or even on his neck and face. The discolored patches can range from white to pink and from tan to dark; if you look closely, you may be able to see very fine scales on their surface. It’s more noticeable in the warm, summer months, as the yeast prevents the skin from tanning in the areas of infection.

People with light-colored skin tend to get darker spots, while those with dark-colored skin seem to have lighter spots. In some cases, the skin turns white.

The patches can flake (like dandruff) and sometimes cause mild itchiness.

How do I treat tinea versicolor at home?

If the spots are small and mild and your child doesn't seem uncomfortable, look for an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo with the active ingredients selenium sulfide or ketoconazole on the label. These ingredients kill the yeast.

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• Wash your child’s hair with the shampoo and put a thin layer on all the affected patches, spreading it a couple of inches beyond their borders.
• Leave the shampoo on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off.
• Repeat every night for a few weeks, and the yeast should improve.

Unfortunately, it can take months for the skin color to return to normal. And the condition can come back again. If it does return, call your child’s doctor. 

What if the home remedy for tinea versicolor doesn't work?

If shampoo doesn't work, call your child’s doctor. A provider can typically diagnose tinea versicolor just by looking at your child's skin with a special lamp (called a Wood's lamp). Sometimes, doctors scrape a small sample of skin from one of the discolored patches and look at it under a microscope – a procedure that is completely painless.

If it is tinea versicolor, the doctor will probably prescribe a topical antifungal medicine. If the case is severe, or the topical treatment doesn't work, the doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication.

To prevent tinea versicolor from spreading further:

• Keep the skin cool and dry.
• Dress your child in loose clothing and avoid hot, humid air.
• Apply sunscreen whenever your child is exposed to the sun.

Will my child always have tinea versicolor?

Possibly. Once diagnosed with tinea versicolor, the yeast remains in your child’s skin. It may seem to disappear in the winter months, and then reappear in the summer. Typically, tinea versicolor peaks during adolescence.

As your child ages, she may become more self-conscious about her skin’s appearance. It will be important to remind her how common tinea versicolor is. She’ll also need to stay away from tanning beds, as they will make it appear worse.

Books to help your child cope:

• Malcolm Finney Medical Detective – The Case of… Itch and Rash by Erika Kimble (August 2011)
• Wonder by RJ Palacio (Jan 2014)
• Connect the Dots: Discovering Self-love with Skin Imperfections by Dahnisha Adams (February 2019)

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causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment - Articles - ON CLINIC Baby

Light spots on the skin are signs of such a little-studied disease as vitiligo.

According to WHO, around 30 million people worldwide suffer from vitiligo, some of them children.

The discolored areas do not lend themselves to tanning and contrast sharply with the main skin color. Most often, this disease affects girls.

Very often, children are embarrassed by the manifestations of vitiligo and are afraid of peer ridicule in kindergarten and school. Psychological stress adversely affects the health of the child, becomes the cause of constant stress. The task of parents is to turn to a professional pediatric dermatologist in a timely manner, who will not only help solve the problem, but also support the child, teach him to cope with the disease and not be embarrassed by its manifestations. nine0003

Pediatric dermatologist at ON CLINIC

Experienced pediatric dermatologists work at the On Clinic Baby International Medical Center, who can find a language with absolutely any child. They understand parents perfectly and support the desire of mothers and fathers to give the baby all the best, including medical care.

Pediatric dermatologists of our clinic constantly participate in scientific conferences and seminars, and also cooperate with pediatricians and other doctors from the best clinics in Russia and around the world. In addition, we have our own clinical diagnostic laboratory, so small patients receive the results of research in the shortest possible time. nine0003

Diagnosis and treatment of vitiligo in children

Diagnosis of vitiligo in infants and older children is based on a clinical examination of the child, the use of special lamps and anamnesis analysis. Other research methods, including laboratory ones, may also be required.

The main goal of vitiligo therapy is to rid the child of a cosmetic defect and restore skin pigmentation.

To date, there are no methods of treatment for this disease that are suitable for absolutely everyone. Therefore, for effective and complete therapy, the qualification of a pediatric dermatologist and an individual approach to a small patient are very important. In many cases, the child needs not only a course of treatment in the clinic, but also the selection of a special diet that will help the body overcome the disease. nine0003

To combat vitiligo, both physiotherapeutic methods of treatment that stimulate the synthesis of melanin and medications are used, including the use of drugs inside and local therapy in the form of applying ointments, alcohol extracts and tinctures to the foci of the disease.

What you need to know about vitiligo?

Vitiligo symptoms in children

Vitiligo disease is manifested by the formation on the skin of a child of clearly defined spots with smooth or torn edges. Their color is most often milky white. The skin in the foci of the development of the disease may remain unchanged. In some cases (most often when exposed to ultraviolet light), hyperemia (redness), peeling and thickening of the skin may appear. nine0003

Vitiligo can appear as one or more patches on any part of the body - the face (including the lips and skin around the mouth), trunk, hands, feet. When the lesions are located on the head, poliosis is observed - premature depigmentation and graying of the hair.

Spots can either remain unchanged for several years, or increase in size and cover new areas. In the process of development of vitiligo, old foci of the disease merge and new ones form. nine0003

Causes of vitiligo

Vitiligo is characterized by the slowdown or death of melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. Scientists have not yet been able to establish the main reasons leading to a failure in the production of melanin. Among the most popular causes put forward by various experts are frequent nervous stress, trauma, excessive sun exposure and exposure to chemical agents.

According to some hypotheses, diseases of the endocrinological system, liver disease and helminthic invasion can also lead to the development of vitiligo. As for the hereditary transmission of the disease, it has been established that predisposing factors can be transmitted from parents to children, which nevertheless do not always lead to the development of vitiligo and the appearance of white spots on the skin. nine0003

Vitiligo in infants

Most often, vitiligo manifests itself in adults or children of primary and secondary grades. But sometimes the disease also attacks newborns. When diagnosing vitiligo in a baby, diseases such as alopecia areata, diffuse neurodermatitis, scleroderma, and hyperthyroidism can also be detected.

It must be remembered that the appearance of discolored spots on the skin of a child does not always indicate a disease of vitiligo. White and slightly pinkish spots on the skin can appear with a fairly large number of diseases, including various types of lichen and psoriasis. Also, in a similar way, depigmented nevi - birthmarks - can make themselves felt. nine0003

It is impossible to independently determine whether vitiligo in infants or another disease is observed. You need to see an experienced pediatric dermatologist.

Call and make an appointment with our specialists at any time! We work without weekends and holidays.

What do white spots on the face mean?

Many people at some point in their life may develop white spots of varying sizes on their face, arms or chest. Below are the top 5 causes of white spots on the face. nine0003

1. Milia

Milia are small, round, hard white dots on the face that are often mistaken for whiteheads. They develop when the protein keratin found in the top layer of the skin and other components of dead skin cells build up under the surface of the skin. The most common areas for milia to appear are around the eyes, cheeks, and nose. Milia can be noted in all age groups in both men and women. It is also common among very young children and is then called milk spots. nine0003

Milia can be caused by an allergic reaction to face cream or sun damage.

A person usually gets better without treatment within a few weeks. Dermatologists recommend not squeezing or punching rashes at home. Changing the face cream or other products that may have caused the allergic reaction may help.

If the condition does not improve on its own, a doctor or dermatologist can treat milia in a variety of ways: opening the capsules (to extract keratin with a medical needle), applying a retinoid cream (on the face, but not around the eyes), microdermabrasion (a procedure that removes the most upper layers of the affected area). nine0003

2. Seborrheic eczema ( Pityriasis alba )