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What Causes White Spot On An Infant's Trunk?
Question: My son is 16 month old now. We have noticed a white spot on left side of stomach when he was 1 month old. Now we found 2 to 3 white spots on stomach. The doctor prescribed tacrolimus..plz advise. Is there anything to worry?
Brief Answer:
?Eczema/?naevi/?vitiligo
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I understand that your 16 month son has few white spots on his stomach.
The possibilities of symptomless white spot on an infant's trunk include conditions like Pityriasis XXXXXXX seborrhoeic dermatitis, follicular eczema, naevi ( birth marks) and rarely vitiligo (leucoderma).
You have a feature to upload the images by yourself at the right side of the query page, please utilize that so that I can answer your query better. You can also send the image as attachment to YYYY@YYYY , with the subject as 'Attn: Dr. Johny Chacko'.
The treatment depends on the exact diagnosis.
Pityriasis XXXXXXX and follicular eczema are types of eczema usually seen in infants who have a dry skin and /or family history of atopy. ( Atopy is a term which includes disorders like skin allergies, nose allergies and wheezing/asthma).
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a condition similar to dandruff.
Naevi or birth marks of various types can occur even a few months/ years after birth.
Vitiligo is rare in infants, however, a possibility to be kept in mind if the spots are totally white and devoid of color. It can be confirmed by looking at the skin using an instrument called wood's lamp.
Tacrolimus is an immunomodulator and I generally do not give it in children less than 2 years of age.
Do use the option of uploading a clear photograph so I can assess better.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
?Eczema/?naevi/?vitiligo
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I understand that your 16 month son has few white spots on his stomach.
The possibilities of symptomless white spot on an infant's trunk include conditions like Pityriasis XXXXXXX seborrhoeic dermatitis, follicular eczema, naevi ( birth marks) and rarely vitiligo (leucoderma).
You have a feature to upload the images by yourself at the right side of the query page, please utilize that so that I can answer your query better. You can also send the image as attachment to YYYY@YYYY , with the subject as 'Attn: Dr. Johny Chacko'.
The treatment depends on the exact diagnosis.
Pityriasis XXXXXXX and follicular eczema are types of eczema usually seen in infants who have a dry skin and /or family history of atopy. ( Atopy is a term which includes disorders like skin allergies, nose allergies and wheezing/asthma).
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a condition similar to dandruff.
Naevi or birth marks of various types can occur even a few months/ years after birth.
Vitiligo is rare in infants, however, a possibility to be kept in mind if the spots are totally white and devoid of color. It can be confirmed by looking at the skin using an instrument called wood's lamp.
Tacrolimus is an immunomodulator and I generally do not give it in children less than 2 years of age.
Do use the option of uploading a clear photograph so I can assess better.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Doctor,
Hope you have received the attached report. Am still afraid of the marks. If it is totally white spot, should I go to test skin by wood's lamp. please advice
Hope you have received the attached report. Am still afraid of the marks. If it is totally white spot, should I go to test skin by wood's lamp. please advice
Brief Answer:
Ash leaf macule
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have seen the clinical picture attached.
They appear to be only on the right half of his abdomen.
The diagnosis I would like to consider is a type of birth mark called as " Ash Leaf macule". It appears like hypo-pigmented, lanceolate lesions and could be confined to one side of the trunk. It could occur in families. Rarely, it could be a part of a syndrome.
To be on the safer side and to allay your anxiety, I would advise you to consult a pediatric dermatologist, preferably at a medical college, where there is facility of wood's lamp and get the lesion examined.
Wood's lamp examination will help to rule out vitiligo. At the same time, the doctor could also look for other ash leaf macules which become prominent under a wood's lamp.
Ash leaf macules, which are isolated and not a part of any syndrome are harmless. They are just a type of birth mark and will stay life long.
Tacrolimus will not help to get rid of the birth mark.
Hope this has helped you.
Wishing your family good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Ash leaf macule
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have seen the clinical picture attached.
They appear to be only on the right half of his abdomen.
The diagnosis I would like to consider is a type of birth mark called as " Ash Leaf macule". It appears like hypo-pigmented, lanceolate lesions and could be confined to one side of the trunk. It could occur in families. Rarely, it could be a part of a syndrome.
To be on the safer side and to allay your anxiety, I would advise you to consult a pediatric dermatologist, preferably at a medical college, where there is facility of wood's lamp and get the lesion examined.
Wood's lamp examination will help to rule out vitiligo. At the same time, the doctor could also look for other ash leaf macules which become prominent under a wood's lamp.
Ash leaf macules, which are isolated and not a part of any syndrome are harmless. They are just a type of birth mark and will stay life long.
Tacrolimus will not help to get rid of the birth mark.
Hope this has helped you.
Wishing your family good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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