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Having White Spots On Face. Getting Worse In Sun Exposure. How To Get Rid Of It?
Question: I have write spots on my face they appeared rather quickly what is it?
I think they got worse with the sun I'm noticing new ones. I have previous sun damage these dark spots that get worse with sun exposure,but these white ones are fairly new I wear sun screen everyday what are they? and how can I make them go away?
I think they got worse with the sun I'm noticing new ones. I have previous sun damage these dark spots that get worse with sun exposure,but these white ones are fairly new I wear sun screen everyday what are they? and how can I make them go away?
Hi!,
Thank you for posting the query & the pictures ,
The pictures are not very clear ,but I understood your problem however it would be good if you can answer few of my queries:
1) Do you have any photosensitivity over the patches (itching over the lesions on exposure to sunlight).
2) Is your skin oily or dry ?
3) Are these patches depigmented (milky white )?
4) Apart from face any other body parts involved?
5) Do you experience any itching or burning sensation over the patches?
Your answers to my questions would help me guide you better.
However , I shall address your concern based on your current given information.
With history & the pictures what you have submitted ,there seems to be few possibilities.
If it has got worse following sun exposure then it can either be Polymorphic light Eruption (PLE) or pityriasis Alba(PA) .In these two conditions we see hypopigmented patches .
If the patches are de-pigmented (milky white) then there is a possibility of it being Vitiligo (Leucoderma) .
If you can reply me with the answers and a front face pictures of your face , I would be able to suggest you better.
Awaiting for your reply.
Regards,
Dr.Bharat chawda XXXXXXX specialist, Dermatology.
Thank you for posting the query & the pictures ,
The pictures are not very clear ,but I understood your problem however it would be good if you can answer few of my queries:
1) Do you have any photosensitivity over the patches (itching over the lesions on exposure to sunlight).
2) Is your skin oily or dry ?
3) Are these patches depigmented (milky white )?
4) Apart from face any other body parts involved?
5) Do you experience any itching or burning sensation over the patches?
Your answers to my questions would help me guide you better.
However , I shall address your concern based on your current given information.
With history & the pictures what you have submitted ,there seems to be few possibilities.
If it has got worse following sun exposure then it can either be Polymorphic light Eruption (PLE) or pityriasis Alba(PA) .In these two conditions we see hypopigmented patches .
If the patches are de-pigmented (milky white) then there is a possibility of it being Vitiligo (Leucoderma) .
If you can reply me with the answers and a front face pictures of your face , I would be able to suggest you better.
Awaiting for your reply.
Regards,
Dr.Bharat chawda XXXXXXX specialist, Dermatology.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have uploaded two photos one of full face and the other of the largest spot on the forehead.I hope they are clearer than the last.to answer your questions: no photosensitivity, have dry skin, the patches are white/pink not too white or too pink. two or thre e shades lighter than my skin tone their is no itching or burning sensations.what lead me to think this might also be sun damage was because all damage is on my right side of the face ,none not even dark spots on the left side.i think it was all those years of riding shotgun in the car.thank you for responding so quickly.
Hi!,
Thank you for the reply and uploading the pictures.
Going through your answers and looking at the pictures it does seem that it is a sunburn reaction which is also known as Polymorphic light Eruptions (PLE).
But there is a bleak possibility of it being Pytiriasis Alba(PA) also ,which is nothing but circular light colored patches due to dry skin & due to excess exposure to sunlight.PA is usually asymptomatic .
The best thing is that in both these condition line of treatment remains the same.
You need to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen covering both UVA & UVB rays .Since you have dry skin as-well you should also use a moisturizing cream every day along with the sunscreen .This should be used full face.
For initial few days & for quick recovery you can use a mild steroid cream like hydrocortisone cream locally over the white patches .This should be used for only 7-10 days and then continue with sunscreen and moisturizers daily.
The recovery is not very fast in this & may take couple of months to go .
Hope I've answered your query.
Should you have additional concern regarding the same ,I would be happy to address it.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Regards,
Dr.Bharat chawda XXXXXXX specialist, Dermatology.
Thank you for the reply and uploading the pictures.
Going through your answers and looking at the pictures it does seem that it is a sunburn reaction which is also known as Polymorphic light Eruptions (PLE).
But there is a bleak possibility of it being Pytiriasis Alba(PA) also ,which is nothing but circular light colored patches due to dry skin & due to excess exposure to sunlight.PA is usually asymptomatic .
The best thing is that in both these condition line of treatment remains the same.
You need to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen covering both UVA & UVB rays .Since you have dry skin as-well you should also use a moisturizing cream every day along with the sunscreen .This should be used full face.
For initial few days & for quick recovery you can use a mild steroid cream like hydrocortisone cream locally over the white patches .This should be used for only 7-10 days and then continue with sunscreen and moisturizers daily.
The recovery is not very fast in this & may take couple of months to go .
Hope I've answered your query.
Should you have additional concern regarding the same ,I would be happy to address it.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Regards,
Dr.Bharat chawda XXXXXXX specialist, Dermatology.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for responding,I just have a couple questions. the treatment of the hydrocortisone cream is just once during all those months? And how high of a sunscreen should I be using?is there any number too high? Again thank you for addressing my concerns. Oh one more question the hydrocortisone cream over the counter or prescription?
Hi!,
Thank you for writing back,
Hydrocortisone cream should not be used for long ,just for a week or so.It should be used daily once or twice just over the white patch.But continue use of sunscreen and moisturizer as much as you can.
Regarding sunscreen ,higher the SPF (sun protecting factor) better the sunscreen .Anything beyond 30 should be good enough .Also make sure that the sunscreen is a medicated one and not a cosmetic brand.You need to check out in the chemist shop.Sunscreen should be used every three hours since its effect weans off in three hours .
Usually hydrocortisone is a prescription based drug ,but the country laws vary from place to place.Please check out at the nearest chemist shop .In any case I would suggest you to consult a dermatologist for a proper prescription.
I thank you again for submitting your question. I hope you found my response to be helpful and informative. If you have any additional concerns I would be happy to address them.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Regards,
Dr.Bharat chawda XXXXXXX specialist, Dermatology.
Thank you for writing back,
Hydrocortisone cream should not be used for long ,just for a week or so.It should be used daily once or twice just over the white patch.But continue use of sunscreen and moisturizer as much as you can.
Regarding sunscreen ,higher the SPF (sun protecting factor) better the sunscreen .Anything beyond 30 should be good enough .Also make sure that the sunscreen is a medicated one and not a cosmetic brand.You need to check out in the chemist shop.Sunscreen should be used every three hours since its effect weans off in three hours .
Usually hydrocortisone is a prescription based drug ,but the country laws vary from place to place.Please check out at the nearest chemist shop .In any case I would suggest you to consult a dermatologist for a proper prescription.
I thank you again for submitting your question. I hope you found my response to be helpful and informative. If you have any additional concerns I would be happy to address them.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Regards,
Dr.Bharat chawda XXXXXXX specialist, Dermatology.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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