Skip to main content
  • News & Promotions
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • >> Bayer Global
Home
  • About Elica
    • Our Products
      • Elica Cream 5g
      • Elica Ointment 5g
    • Our Science
    • FAQs
  • Living with Eczema
    • Eczema 101
      • Factors that Worsen Eczema
      • Celiac Disease and Eczema: What’s the Connection?
      • Flair for Skincare: Choosing the Right Moisturizer for Eczema
      • How does stress factor in eczema?
      • Identifying and Managing Xerosis or Dry Skin
      • How to Help Your Child Deal with Itchy Eczema
      • How to Care for Eczema in Babies and Kids
      • Spotting Eczema in Babies and Kids
      • White Patches On Skin: Explained
      • Know The Truth About Eczema
      • Skin Care Tips for Eczema-Prone Skin
      • Eczema and Mental Health
      • To Eat or Not to Eat: Eczema Edition
      • Making a Lifestyle Change
      • Spotted: Eczema
      • Eczema 101 for Other VIPs in Your Child’s Life
      • Common Triggers You Should Know About
      • What Factors Worsen Your Eczema?
      • Eczema Tips You Might've Missed
      • Eczema and the Changing Weather
      • Eczema, Rhinitis, and Asthma: Are They Connected?
    • Eczema Diagnosis
      • Eczema: Can Your Child Inherit This Skin Condition?
      • The Link between Food Allergies and Eczema in Children
      • More Than Skin Deep: Eczema Related to Other Health Conditions
  • Other Skin Conditions
    • Other Skin Conditions
      • Differentiating Eczema and Psoriasis
  • Where to buy
Bayer Cross Logo
  1. Home
  2. Living with Eczema
  3. Eczema 101
  4. White Patches On Skin: Explained

White Patches on Skin: Explained

You may have seen them on your skin.

Or maybe on your child’s.

Or maybe you’ve simply wondered — just out of curiosity — what causes these white patches on some people’s skin.

Do any (or even all) of these statements apply to you? If so, keep reading

DIvider

The Rundown

here are several skin conditions that result in white patches of skin, with varying degrees of severity.

To name a few: atopic dermatitis, pityriasis alba, seborrheic dermatitis, vitiligo, psoriasis, idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, and lichen sclerosus.

But this article will be focusing primarily on some of the milder causes of skin lightening or discoloration.

Eczema Aftermath

Eczema is a skin condition that makes skin become itchy, red, or dry, due to inflammation.1 Atopic dermatitis is its most common form.

In general, eczema is a chronic, and most likely, genetic condition.

When the skin becomes inflamed or irritated, it could lead to small patches of skin turning whiter or lighter because of pigmentation, compared to the other nearby areas of skin. This contrast in discoloration may be more apparent on those with darker skin. To get more technical, this is what happens when an eczema flare-up resolves itself "through the sub-acute phase and settles back to dry skin without inflammation".

If you’re seeing white patches on your (or your child’s) skin as a result of eczema, don’t worry: over time they do tend to fade.

Pityriasis Alba

Mostly seen in young children, this condition is thought to be a low-grade form of eczema. The term pityriasis refers to the fine scale characteristic of skin while alba describes the pale-colored pigmentation as a result of it.

These patches start off as round and scaly, and as they improve, they turn into a lighter shade compared to the rest of the skin.

Just like its more generic skin condition counterpart, oftentimes, these patches fade away on their own. While it doesn’t need to be treated per se, moisturizing creams and lotions may be used if the skin is dry. However, if the skin ends up becoming inflamed, red, or itchy, your child may be given a corticosteroid or nonsteroidal cream by their doctor.

Psoriasis

This skin disorder manifests as thick, reddish, or pinkish patches of skin with white or silvery scales that cover them. Unlike pityriasis alba, psoriasis starts in one’s adulthood.

Just like eczema, though, psoriasis is related to an immune system problem, where one’s immune system is overstimulated, leading to inflammation.

If you, your child, or someone you know is experiencing any of these three conditions, try Mometasone furoate (Elica®) products. They can help stop itching, reduce redness, ease swelling, and provide 24-hour fast relief. Mometasone furoate (Elica®) cream is applied on thin skin (e.g. your face) and moist lesions, while Mometasone furoate (Elica®) ointment is applied on dry lesions and thickened skin.

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

REFERENCES:

  1. What Are White Spots On The Skin, in https://www.skinvision.com/articles/what-are-white-spots-on-the-skin
  2. What is atopic dermatitis?, in https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/atopic-dermatitis
  3. What Causes Dry White Patches on Skin?, in https://www.scripps.org/news_items/4568-what-causes-dry-white-patches-on-skin
  4. Skin pigmentation and eczema, in https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/living-with-eczema/skin-pigmentation
  5. What are these white spots on my skin?, in https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319887
  6. Pityriasis alba, in https://dermnetnz.org/topics/pityriasis-alba
  7. What Is Pityriasis Alba?, in https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/skin-pityriasis-alba
  8. Psoriasis, in https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6866-psoriasis
  9. Ibid.
  10. Our Products, in https://www.elica.com.ph/about-elica/our-products
DIvider

Latest Articles

Celiac Disease and Eczema: What’s the Connection?

Celiac Disease and Eczema: What’s the Connection?

People with eczema are likely to have gluten sensitivity. Likewise, those with celiac disease are three times more likely to have eczema.

LEARN MORE
Flair for Skincare: Choosing the Right Moisturizer for Eczema

Flair for Skincare: Choosing the Right Moisturizer for Eczema

When the skin cannot keep moisture in, products that help hydrate skin become necessary.  Just remember that not all moisturizers work for people with eczema.

LEARN MORE
How does stress factor in eczema?

How does stress factor in eczema?

Studies have shown that emotional stress, such as high-conflict relationships and careers, may worsen flare-ups. Anxiety can trigger flare-ups in people with eczema; anyone with too much to worry about is more prone to eczema.

LEARN MORE
If symptoms persists, consult your doctor.

ASC Reference No.: B074P110821ES

Get the latest news, products and promotions!

Follow us on our socials:

Facebook
Youtube
Instagram
Footer logo
  • About Elica
  • Other Skin Conditions
  • Living with Eczema

© Bayer Philippines Inc. All rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. All trademarks are owned by Bayer, and its affiliates, or licensed for its use.
 

  • Where to buy
  • Contact Us
  • News & Promos
  • Bayer Global
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • L.PH.MKT.CC.12.2020.0859