DISCOLORATION-WHITE SPOTS

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What causes light or white spots?

Light and White spots may commonly be caused by:

• Vitiligo, an autoimmune/inflammatory condition in which the immune system attacks the pigment-producing melanocytes, causing depigmentation or complete loss of pigment in affected patches.  Especially noticeable in people of color, this can cause significant emotional distress.
• Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, following an infection such as shingles or an inflammatory skin condition such as atopic dermatitis (eczema).  It is called Pityriasis alba when caused by eczema.
• Tinea versicolor, an overgrowth of yeast on the skin.
• Sun and UV exposure can cause both light and dark spots, with a mottled appearance.

In more difficult cases, treatments with excimer laser or UVB phototherapy are also effective. There are promising new oral treatments in the research pipeline that will hopefully be available soon.