One afternoon, my neighbor came running to me, terrified. Her 4 year old daughter had a whitish discoloration over her cheeks and somebody had told her it could be Leucoderma or Vitiligo. She immediately wanted to know how to get rid of white spots on the face.
After examining the child I assured her that it was not Leucoderma but a harmless condition called Pityriasis Alba.
You’ve probably noticed white patches like these on the faces of many children and even some adults. They’re either round or without a defined shape, and of a dry texture. There are many causes for this whitish discoloration, but the most common cause is Pityriasis Alba. The boy in the photo below has white patches on the face, which are classic of this disease.
Source: http://medicalcontent.hubpages.com/
What causes Pityriasis Alba?
The cause of Pityriasis Alba is still unknown, though it is usually found to occur during the summer months and mostly in children and adolescents, i.e. between 3 years to 15 years.
What does Pityriasis Alba look like?
It is whitish in color and more prominent on dark skin. It may be circular or of an irregular shape, and occurs commonly on the face. The texture will be dry and scaly and can also be itchy.
How to get rid of white spots on the face of your child ?
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Sunscreen
Sunscreen can help by blocking the sun’s harmful UV rays and preventing the formation of white spots on the face.Its recommended to apply the sunscreen 15 minutes before you head out for the optimal performance of the susncreen. Apply sunscreen with an SPF 15 or greater to all exposed areas of the body.
2. Healthy Diet
A healthy diet with fresh fruits and vegetables will help in the regeneration of healthy skin.
3. Deworming
Although there is no evidence that intenstinal worms cause the patches,taking deworming meidcation every 6 months may help and also prevent new white spots in face.
4. Emollients
Some paediatricians advice the use of non-perfume and non-dye emollients to prevent dry skin that may lead to Pityriasis Alba.
5. Antifungal creams
In some cases, antifungal creams may work if there is a coexisting fungal infection.
When should a doctor be consulted for white spots on face ?
Pityriasis Alba is a self limiting disease and is likely to disappear on its own. You don’t need any specific medicine to get rid of white spots on the face. However, if it doesn’t subside, it’s better to consult your pediatrician or dermatologist especially if you notice the following signs:
1. There is severe itching over the area.
2. The whitish patch has changed color to reddish hue.
3. When more areas get involved.
There is no need to panic if you happen to notice these patches on your child’s face. But as with everything, it’s best to consult a doctor first to rule out any other illness.
Common FAQs on How to get rid of white spots on the Face
How can I get rid of white spots on my face naturally?
Most of the time the white spots fade away after sometime, you can try hydrate the skin by drinking adequate water and eating lots of fruits and vegetables.
What causes white spots on the face?
The most common form of white spots in children is Pityriasis Alba and the cause is unknown
Do white spots on skin go away?
Yes , they mostly clear up on their own, if they last for a few months , then please consult a dermatologist.
So, you have white spots on your face – what now? Are you furiously searching on How to get rid of white spots on the face ? Although it might not seem like the end of the world, treating white spots on the face can help minimize their appearance and make your skin look smoother. By following the tips provided in this blog, you can prevent them from appearing in the first place and enjoy clear skin for years to come! Do you have any questions about white spots? Let us know in the comments below and we will be happy to help!
my 6 month old baby having white patches on his cheeks and arround mouth from nearly two months and I consulted pediatrician and dermatologist they said it will go but am still worried on the same
Hi,
It’s not to be worried as you have already consulted. But if you find it not convincing, please get second opinion.
I’m 32 yr old and having white spots on my face so I went to doctor 3 weeks ago , she prescribed multivitamin+methylcobalamin , moisturizer,and fluticasone on white spots… When you step out use a sunscreen 30 min before u stepping out
It’s 21 days I’m following this but my white spots hasn’t gone yet
Hi Tanu,
Please wait till the course gets completed. If you find no difference, please have a word with the doctor or opt for second opinion.
I have white patches on my cheek due to mederma scar gel cream now my skin didnt turn in to normal colour how can i get rid of this
Hi,
Kindly get a skin specialist’s guidance.
My 2 month old grandson appears to have Pityriasis Alba on his his left and right cheek. It has also come up in his groin area, which we initially thought was an allergic reaction to a different diaper he wasn’t used to wearing. Both areas show light discoloring, in a circular patch, in both areas. The patches don’t seem to be itchy or dry, yet very visible to the naked eye.
Hi,
Please check with your pediatrician and follow his guidance.
I’m suffering white scraps on head skin and seen spots bigger, maybe due to summer sun rays from last 2year . I consulted some skin specialist but it could not cure. Please what will be the remedy for skin care.
Hi,
Kindly check with a skin specialist and follow his guidance. Sorry that we will not be able to help you with the accurate solution without physical examination.
Thanks for informing with photo and video..
It’s definitely our pleasure 🙂
I am 13 years old and the patches on my skin came this month. I have fungal infection in my nails since I was 6. Is it related to fungal infection
Hi, Sorry Janvi, we can’t help you with the accurate details without physically examining. Please follow your dermatologist’s advice.
I have a 9months baby boy.. white marks on face near cheek, nose edges and under lips.. Doctor suggest to use for cheek Hydrocortisone Cream and under lips nd nose edges to use K-Fung Cream can I use that creams
Hi Shamili,
Kindly follow your doctor’s advice.
I have a 11 yrs old the dry white marks always comes back in summer what cream should I use for him, currently we put a lot of sunscreen on face repeatedly during the day
Hi Sanda,
Please check with a skin specialist dear.
Same cases with other comments, the white spots came to be seen 3 months ago as i see a small dot only then after grew bigger now with two another dots side of it. My boy is 6 yrs old now thank you Doctor for your advice . Glad and greatful to hear from you. God bless
Thank you Marlyn 🙂 Happy that it has been helpful.
Im 15 yrs old and i get this white patches in my face only during winter and after winter this patches goes away and again the next year during winter and goes away whem summer starts……Is it pityriasis alba?
Should i consult a doctor?what should i do to make them go away?
Please consult with a skin specialist Nazifa.
Hi i hv been having this white patches since i was 6 years old and now i am 13 i have tried going to many doctors but still not helping !
what can u suggest me to do?
Sorry Aadhira, we can’t give the accurate solution without physically examining the patches. Please check with a dermatologist.
Same 🙁 I’m trying to figure what this patch is. Baby is 5 months old.
Try getting the consultation done dear.
my 6 month old has white spot like on her cheek, could it be fungal or vitamin deficiency
Hi,
Please take the baby to a dermatologist once dear.
Hello will this still work for arms or just for face?
Hi,
It will work on arms as well dear. But kindly have a word with the doctor as well.
My baby is 4yrs old..she has white patches…doctor told it caused because of dryness
Hi Sophia,
You can try oats bath dear. Put a handful of oatmeal into a sock and hold it under the tap, let water run through it. You can see that the bath water turned to milky appearance. Bath the baby with it.This can help to maintain the moisture.
Thanks for sharing useful information. Please let me know my 6 months old baby have white spot on upper lips from four weeks almost. Should I need to worry for this? or any treatment for this? Please guide.Thanks
Hi,
Please have a word with your pediatrician. Baby needs to be physically examined to find the accurate reason for the white spot. Only then the remedy can be followed.
Thanks doc for information if you know any food or medicine regarding this please let me inform thanks
Hi,
Welcome. Sorry that we won’t be able to suggest medicines without physically examining the baby. Kindly check once with a skin specialist.
Hello sir, I have 4 years old son He has white patch on his chick. So I want some solution for it.
Hi,
Please check on the remedies given in the above article. Your kid has to be physically examined to find the accurate reason for the white patch. So kindly check with a skin specialist.
Hi man,
My 7 month old son having white spot near eye.it is shapeless. We consulted the doctor. He said it was a birth mark. No medicine for this. It was not available when he was born.give me some suggestions to remove the spot
Hi,
It’s better if you can consult with a skin specialist dear.
My 7 year daughter have white spot on her cheek. I consulted skin specialist and suggested pacroma pimecrolimus cream. But no changes with in 1 month.
Hi Jasna,
Kindly get second opinion dear.
My daughter had got a white spot on her cheek ..initially i thought it will go itself but then sincecot is visible so thought of consulting a doctor ….she is undergoing homeopathic treatment ..doctor said it will go but i am still too much worried for her……plz suggest how much time it will take the white spot on her face to vanish plzz
Hey Ila,
The time frame for reducing the white spots may vary considerably to each and every child or individual. And you have already started the treatment make sure you do the work diligently. Always moisturize the white spot on your child’s face.
Hai man, my baby was 7months old, she had small white color near mouth, please tell me what to do, she was so small.
Hi Deepa,
Feed the baby nutritious. Kindly consult with skin specialist to get prescriptions.
My 4 year old daughter have a same problem. But on her legs it is spreading. There is no itching or redness
Hi,
It’s always better to consult a dermatologist as early as possible if the spots start spreading.
I’ve been having these white spots on my face since last year and it keep spreading all over my face. What do I do?
Hi Fathima,
Kindly consult dermatologist as the spots are getting spread.
Hello, I’m turning 15 in a couple of weeks. I have a couple of medium-large white circles on my face and they used to be a big problem when I was younger, as they began to slowly develop everywhere on my body. They just recently started coming back. They aren’t dry at all and feel perfectly smooth. They are just literally patches of white??
Hi Rebekah,
Please consult a skin specialist, as it’s getting spread. The patches has to be physically examined to help you with remedies dear.
Hi my daughter has white spots and it seems that they don’t go away can you give me any advice she is 10 years old I make your smoothies like spinach with a lot of fruits
Hi Nancy,
Nice to know that you feed your daughter nutritious 🙂 Kindly consult with a dermatologist once.
I have it on my skin from last year summer and now it is December and it has not gone off yet I tried natural products and remedies and went to doctors and dermatologists and I don’t know what to do next.
This must be rather troublesome for you. Yet only a physical check can help find the accurate remedy. Wish you luck.
i actually have a lot of those. it’s been like 5 years I would only get 1 but they would go away and like a month ago i started getting a lot all over my face I have them on my cheeks, forehead, and the top of my eyebrows and they won’t go away they’re just getting bigger.
It must be a trouble. Dear do see a skin specialist and perhaps they can determine the reasons with some reasonable tests.
Hello,I am Raafi Khan and i’m 14 yrs 5m old. Yesterday i spotted a white spot on my cheek.Only on one cheek. It wasnt there the day before yesterday.So i dont have any itching over the area.
And i am getting tensed if more areas on my face gets this white spot! Please suggest me if should consult a doctor.If yes then which kind of doctor should i consult?
Kindly Help me! Thank you.
Dear you would need to meet a skin specialist / Dermatologist who would determine if there is anything to worry .
Hii,,,
My 6 yr daughters has a white spots and is growing,,, day by day ,,,give me some suggestions
Have you checked these remedies dear? If there is no help after this, it is advisable to meet a skin specialist so that a check can be done.
My age is 13 years i have several white spots on my face called pityriasis alba. What to do now?
I would recommend you see a doctor for physical checkup.
My kind suggestion is that you meet a doctor for physical examination.
My daughter had rash all over her body .after rash l discovered some discoloured patches surrounding her mouth and hands.lam worried .what should l use for patches to dissapper.
Would recommend if the rashes are for a day or more, please see a doctor. I could be an insect or it could be some skin concern. A physical check will sure help.
My 8 month son also have this kind of son . I am worried
Kiran if that worries you, you must also see a skin specialist once before option for any remedies.
in INDIA, the reason is known. my mother always use to feed me home made white butter while i suffered this . and they disappear. they say this is lack of fats (healthy) how you wrote that fact is unknown . you must admit that you lack the survey and just started writing the blog.
Thank you for your valuable inputs, please do share any research article on the same so that we can understand your perspective better.
How can we make the home made butter? Do you have the recipe?
Dear you can try this one https://www.mylittlemoppet.com/homemade-butter-recipe/
Tell mr any ointment
I would suggest please see a doctor before you apply any ointment.
Ahh…
I see all your answers are same.
See the skin specialist!
What is point in your answers
I apologize if you felt so, however if after basic remedies there is not much improvement, a physical check is mandate for further understanding of the root cause of the cause. So that correct medicines/cure can be given.
I apologize if you felt so, however if after basic remedies there is not much improvement, a physical check is mandate for further understanding of the root cause. So that correct medicines/cure can be given.
but you are here to at least give a good suggestion instead of just typing “see a skin specialist”. Everyone is aware that seeing a doctor is the final resort but why are you here when there is no point in getting some help through you? No body is finding you to be of any help, it is doubtful that you are any kind of expert, else you would have provided some kind of relevant reply! worthless!
Hi Neha,
I understand, but if a Doctor provide any medication without physically examining the patient it may aggravate the cause and result in other problems, any allergic reaction can happen to the patient which may be small or sometimes life threatening. This is why after trying home remedies if the problem persists, it’s advised to consult the dermatologist (in this kind of skin problems).
Hi,
My son has several white patches on both of his lower extremities, one he was born with and the others ones were later discovered, and at week2, after an outbreak of acnes on his face, we noticed a white patch on his right cheek, and recently I noticed a few small ones on his other cheek. I’m really worried that this might be Tuberous sclerosis, or the white patches might be permanent. I have taken him to several dermatologists, and they all think it’s either post inflammatory hypopigmentation or Nevis hypopigmentation. We both also went through an episode of thrush and now recovered, and I had also used my breastmilk initially on his cheeks to help heal the acnes. please advise! I’m really really worried. Can I send you a picture? thank you for reading this.
Hi Lucy, please check with doctor that and follow his advice. I would not be able to suggest anything without examining the child.
Hello, I am so depressed about my skin disorder. I had a white spot on my neck and my mother told me it was a birth mark but it is spreading (slowly)and birth marks dont spread with time recently I saw a white spot on my face and I got so depressed and I went to see a dermatologist and she told me its nevus anemicus and it will spread and she gave me a tube to apply it on the neck which is tacrolimus 0.1% .. I searched it on internet it is used for vitiligo and ecezema patients .. I want to ask is it safe for me to use it at night? will it be effective? my main concern is after using this medicine, are their any chances that my white spots will spread more?
Hi, please follow your doctor’s advice as he has suggested after examining your condition. If you find the spots spreading anywhere on your body please consult your doctor again.
hii
mam, your site is so usefull for me .
i want to ask that i am 16 year old ,still i have white spots on my face, will it realiy disapper?
I feel inapt to comment on this especially without personally examining. The best would be to see a local skin specialist. All the best
I am 27 year old , I consulted doctor for white patch on faces, they give me ointment of antifungal when I applied on dot it get turn into more . Then consultanted other doctor they prescribed me b complex, I am having b complex from Month ,but still the white patches on my face. What should I do please help.
As much as I wish to help you on this, it seems that a skin specialist will do justice to it. Home remedies are some we have shared, but other than that a physical check can only ensure right medication and cure.
Pardon, what is deworming? What is this process?
My daughter ( Asian skin) just recently have these white small patches, both side of the face, at first, we thought it was an allergic reaction to kids sunscreen?
We’ve applied layers of ceravae healing ointment, now it’s less dry patches, it does not itch, but the tiny circle white patches seems to be around. For months?
What to do? Will this go away even with sunscreen daily?
(At the same time, I am sending you a image)
Very concern.
Thank you,
feed her with butter (home made) do not always trust the western sites the medical science even cannot cure running nose.
hi my name is Tracy my daughter is 11 years old and has this problem of white spots all over her face we consulted doctors but nothing really helped so any suggestion as in home made masks and is there a way to remove this spots permanently
My granddaughter has eczema which, unfortunately she inherited, from me. She has light patched on her face around her eyes and it is sometimes dry. She has been to several dermatologist and they seem stumped as to what it may be. They say it could be allergies but I am really concerned about it and what else it could possibly be. It doesn’t have the properties of eczema to me, from my experience. Also the ointment used for the eczema on her arms and legs leaves they areas with white patches on her skin. Please help any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thank yolu
The very same Condition with my kid who is 3 years old… Did u find d any solution? Any improvement? Please let me know her current thoughts status.
Dear, seeing a doctor is the next step if there has been no improvement.
Hi. My 4yr old son has a huge white spot on his inner thigh. It was very light but now pinkish. I have noticed that he now developed the same white patches on his underarms. Pls advice what to do?
Hi
My daughter is nine she’s got small spots on her forehead and her noise and around her lips.what should I do?
Hi my daughter is 11 months old and has developed small white circle on her face.
My son is 7 years old & recently he developed this white patch on his right cheek. initially i thought it would disappear. However, when i noticed the size increasing and another white patch on his left cheek, it just left me alarming. I was looking for information on with web and i came across your article. It is definitely an eye opener. The photo in your article is just exactly what my son has. He does play alot in the sun. Three weekends in a row we have been heading to the beach while it has been really hot and sunny. Do you think this could have been the reason that he was exposed to sun for a longer duration without a sun screen? I noticed this patch only after the beach episode. Please advice what would be the best sunscreen to be used by children of this age.
Regards,
Maria
Hi mdm. I am rohini. My daughter is 7yrs old. She is facing so many skin problems. At first started with ezema. I visited dermarologist like laser tmt skin specialist. He gave me physiogel cream to apply on her body.it was ok. Last september 2015. Our house was under renovation and painted the whole house and doors. 1week before that she had slight rashes or her face and hands. We keep on applied physiogel.after that skin problems started worst redness and swelling around the eyes and face also swollen over the night.again i visited skin specialist he had given me to apply normal saline cloth on her affected face and hands and also changed another moisturiser ceradan and efficort 0.127%. It was subsided after 2weeks. I visited 3rd time to the same skin specialist he changed again tacrolimus ointment at night only. I applied after that i noticed her face and both hands white spots.skin doctor advice to apply sunscreen cream LA Roche-posay i scared to apply this cream whether i can apply or not. Is there side effects of ezema again.give me a suggestion. But she is not a good eate, Very choosy, will not eat green veg and selected fruits only. What i can do in this situation. Waiting for your reply. Thankyou.
Dear Rohini,
Sorry to hear about your little one suffering , I can understand how hard for a mother to see their baby suffering 🙁
As much as I would like to help and advice you, it would be difficult for me to suggest about the skin condition unless I see the patient, I would request you to visit a paediatric -dermatologist to get the proper treatment
Hugs
Hema
Ok. Thankyou very much mdm.hema.i will try to find paediatric dermatologist.
Hi my daughter is 11 months old and has developed small white circle on her face. It was initially just one but has increased to about 5 over her face. The skin doesn’t seem to be dry at all, just discoloured.
Found this article to help most. Thanks.
Dear Atiyyah,
Great to know the article was helpful 🙂
There are white dry patches on my face. I am 17 years old. It looks very bad. I am very much terrified. Please give remedies.
Dear Kavmani,
Please do not get alarmed, it might be nothing at all, have you seen a dermatologist about this? As I can advice or give treatment only after examining you
Hi im 19yrs old and i have white patches all over my cheeks. How to treat? Its now spreading near my ears. So depressing. Huhu
This article is very helpful. But are there any home remedies that you would suggest? I have noticed a white patch on my daughter’s face and am quite concerned about it.
It would be considerate to see a doctor dear, if you are noticing many of face and worried too.
Hello mam am 23 and I develop this white patches every year during the end of summer and start of winter. From my childhood till now I am experiencing this spots every year. They appear only on my cheeks and spread and become even toned in summer. Kindly suggest some cures for this disease.
Hi Hema,
Thanks for the article. I’m seeing some white patches on my daughters arms and face. It is really worrying me a lot. We did see couple of pediatric dermatologists and they said they don’t know what it is. I would like to send some pictures of my daughter to you so that you can examine her. Can I Send her pics to the below mentioned email?([email protected])
Thanks,
Pavan
I am 12 years old and have white patches on my cheeks. I am ?suffering from it for months. Few days ago after taking a sea bath my cheeks started itching and my cheeks got red. Every one says its something to worry about. Please help Auntie. …?
Please visit a doctor and get it checked.
Thanks a lot your article gave me hope. My 4 months old baby girl has white patches at her tearducts I just noticed them about a week earlier.. I’m too much worried…it’s running by her lower eyelids.. I’m afraid that it could be vitiligo..please help
My baby has got white patches on his chest wen he was a year n 7 months.i took him to hospital n doctor told me its fungal infection n ask me to apply an ointment. After applying ointment for few months there is no improvements n now it starting to spread.please advice me m really confused.
my baby is 2 month old n he is havng many white spots in his forehead , around nose n cheeks also n day by day they r growng more .I have consult dr they recomend desonide cream to apply once in a day , bt i m nt satisfied i m really woried
i read many sugestn given by u if u could help me plz help.i would b very thnkful to u.
Hi Asha,
Thank you for your comment.
I cannot give a suggestion unless I examine the baby, please consult a paediatric dermatologist.
Hi,
I came across your site just today while searching for some information on my child’s condition. I read your article on deworming kids atleast twice a year which is really an eye-opener as none of the paed docs I’ve consulted so far had advised this routine. Your website is really useful and I appreciate all your efforts.
My kid is 5 years old and we observed a white patch in between his eyebrows couple of months ago and it appears to be developing (size of the patch) slowly in the same area. We’re planning to consult a dermatologist soon but would like to get your inputs or comments, if any. Please advise. Thanks!
Hi Vasanth,
Glad to know my website was useful 🙂
Unless I examine that baby I cannot comment on the diagnosis of the lesion, or you can send a photograph of the lesion to [email protected] so that I can see what sort of patch it is…
Cheers
Hema
Thanks a lot for this article. My baby is 7 months old and developed a white patch on right cheek just next to lips when the bay turned 6 month old.
I dint notice much initially but after 15 days I was concerned as I thought it isn’t disappearing, so I went to a pediatrician who referred me to Skin doc. The skin doc told me it could be vitiligo but they cant be sure so they gave me Tacrolimus Ointment to apply in night on the affected area in the minimal quantity. When we checked on internet, we found that Tacrolimus shouldn’t be applied to be babies younger than 2 yrs old.
After two week, we referred another skin doc, who told us that it isn’t leucoderma or vitiligo, but pityriasis alba. He suggested us to apply Nivea cream on the affected area and to take the baby out in sun.
Its been more than a month since I noticed that spot. The size hasn’t increased but I think has become more prominent.
Needless to mention, but I m not much satisfied with both doctors’ response and looking for some more advice. As of now, I m applying Nivea cream in day time and Tacrolimus Ointment in night.
Your article has given me some positive hopes.
Any suggestions from your end, regarding my kiddo’s problem?
Can I apply both creams?
Can I take my baby out in sun?
Which sunscreen, if to be used on 7 month old baby, I should apply to baby’s face?
Does taking baby out in sun, is a cause of these spots?
We haven’t got deworming done for my baby yet, shall we get it done?
Lastly, thanks to you. Your site has been very helpful in kick starting my baby’s solid food and have been following your articles for my baby.
Hi Monika,
Glad that the article was helpful. You can use a baby friendly emollient cream to prevent dryness of the area and stop Tacrolimus.Deworming is advisable only after 1 year. Also I cannot comment on what ointmnet the baby needs without seeing the baby for myself. Since it is not spreading you can wait and watch. Take second pead and dermatologist opinion to be on the safer side.
Thank you for giving clear explanations…my daughter also has same white spot in her cheek.
Glad you found it useful Binth 🙂
V nice information. Thanks for giving such wonderful articles. Keep it up
Thank you Manasi 🙂