Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentManagement
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Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Management
A white rash on your skin can occur as a result of many skin conditions. Causes can range from somewhat harmless sun spots andmiliato more seriouspityriasis alba,vitiligo, andtinea versicolorthat can cause major changes in skin color. The most severe cause involves basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer.
Natalie Zotova / 500px / Getty Images
Causes of White Rash on Skin
White Sun Spots
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023
White sun spots, clinically known asidiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, occur in areas with less pigment. While the exact cause of sun spots is unclear, they occur as a form ofhypopigmentation, which is a lack of pigment (color)-producingmelanin), in the affected area. The more melanin present, the darker the color of your eyes, skin, and hair. Sun spots usually appear after age 40 and increase with age.
Sun spots occur in all skin types and races. However, their appearance is more dramatic in darker-skinned racial and ethnic groups. Among White people, sun spots occur more often in those with brown eyes and brown hair. While the exact cause of sun spots is unknown, excessive sun exposure and genetics seem to contribute to this harmless cosmetic issue.
Milia
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023
Milia, also known as milk cysts, appear as tiny white bumps on your face. Thesekeratin-filled cysts do not cause any pain or itching. They form when dead skin cells do not properly exfoliate (get cast off) and are trapped under your skin. This can occur for no reason. Milia can also occur as a secondary symptom after an injury, burn, or other condition.
Milia can develop in infants, children, and adults. While milia resemblewhiteheads, milia should not be popped or squeezed. Attempting to remove milia in this way can cause scarring. Milia are not related to acne because they do not form within pores. They form just under your top layer of skin.
Pityriasis Alba
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPityriasis alba.DermNet/CC BY-NC-ND
DermNet/CC BY-NC-ND
Pityriasis albais a minor form ofeczema(atopic dermatitis) that appears as scaly hypopigmentation. It mostly occurs in children and adolescents age 3 to 16 years. It can also occur in people of any age. The condition is more prominent and more common in people with darker skin.
While the cause of pityriasis alba is unknown, it often occurs with dry skin and atopic dermatitis. It often appears after sun exposure, likely because the affected skin looks lighter than the surrounding tanned skin.
Vitiligo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Dr Richard Ashtondermnetnz.org2023
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Dr Richard Ashtondermnetnz.org2023
Vitiligocauses patches of skin to lose pigment. It is generally considered anautoimmune diseasethat attacks and destroys melanocytes (skin cells that make pigment) due to signals from a damaged immune system. The affected skin turns a milky white.
Research indicates that vitiligo may have genetic causes. It occurs more often in people who have a family history of the disorder. It is also more common in people who have certain autoimmune diseases, such asrheumatoid arthritis,systemic lupus erythematosus, orthyroid disease. Symptoms can appear before age 20 in all races, starting in early childhood. In some cases, an event such as emotional distress, sunburn, or chemical exposure can trigger the problem.
Tinea Versicolor
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPityriasis versicolor white.DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
This condition occurs if your skin becomes oily, warm, and moist enough to allow the yeast to develop into small colonies on its surface. While the spots look reddish brown on pale skin, they appear as white spots on tanned or darker skin. You have a higher risk of tinea versicolor if you live in a hot, humid climate, have moist or oily skin, or have a weak immune system.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet and ©Te Whatu Oradermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet and ©Te Whatu Oradermnetnz.org2023.
Basal cell carcinomais a common type ofskin cancerthat develops in the areas of your body most exposed to the sun. While most people think of skin cancer as being black, brown, or red, basal cell carcinoma can also occur as a shiny bump or nodule that is clear or pearly white. It can also look like a scar that is flat and white to yellow, often with poorly defined borders.
Basal cell carcinoma occurs when exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and indoor tanning damage the basal cells in theepidermis, the outermost layer of your skin. Being chronically exposed to the sun or indoor tanning and having light skin are two risk factors,
Describing White Rash Skin Spots
White rash skin spots can vary based on the cause of the problem and the skin tone of the surrounding skin. Despite the cause, any white spots may seem more pronounced if they border skin that is naturally darker or tanned.
White rash skin spots can occur with the following symptoms:
Sun spots: These small white dots can vary in size from 1 to 10 millimeters (mm), with most sun spots having a diameter of between 1 and 3 mm. They are otherwise asymptomatic.
Milia: These asymptomatic skin spots appear as pearly bumps that do not present a health threat. However, they can cause an annoying cosmetic issue. While they grow up to 2 mm in size, they are often smaller.
Pityriasis alba: This condition starts as red or discolored, scaly patches on your face and arms. After it resolves, it leaves areas of scaling hypopigmentation. The lesions may be round, oval, or irregular in shape.
Tinea versicolor: These patches are slightly reddish brown on pale skin but do not tan. As a result, they look like white spots on darker skin. A fine dry scale may coat the patches.
Basal cell carcinoma: Basal cell carcinoma can look different in different people. In addition to a shiny white bump or nodule, this type of skin cancer can also appear as the following:
Location on Body
The location of white rash skin spots varies based on the cause, as follows:
Seeing a Dermatologist to Diagnose Your Symptoms
Seeing adermatologistis the best way to get an accurate diagnosis of your white rash skin spots. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating diseases that affect your skin, hair, and nails.
Other tests may be used based on the types of symptoms present. These tests can include:
A visual examination can be used to diagnose the following causes of white rash skin spots:
While more extensive diagnostic tests can be used to confirm a diagnosis of any cause of white dots on the skin, these tests are typically used when the following conditions are suspected:
Treatment for White Skin Rash
Treatment for white skin rash can vary based on the cause. Some types of white spots may be harmless to your health. However, the changes in skin appearance that result, such as those that occur in vitiligo, can have a detrimental impact on your quality of life.
While treatment may not be medically necessary for some conditions, it may benefit people whose white skin rash affects their emotional well-being and psychosocial health.
Common treatments for white skin rash include:
Sun Spots
While sun spots do not require therapy, they are often treated to resolve their impact on appearance. Treatments can include the following.
Topical treatments:
Procedures:
No treatment is advised for milia in babies. These spots typically resolve on their own.
Pityriasis can resolve itself spontaneously without treatment. Symptoms can be managed with the following treatments:
Treatments for vitiligo aim to even out skin tone and restore lost skin color. These therapies can include:
Topical and systemic medications:
Other therapies:
Tinea versicolor treatmentaims to reduce and treat the fungus causing the spots. Therapies can include:
Anti-fungal shampoos, soaps, creams, and lotions to control yeast using one of the following active ingredients:
Antifungal pills for short-term treatments:
When possible, basal cell carcinoma is treated with surgical removal. The technique used varies based on the type of basal cell carcinoma present, its location, and how deeply it goes into the skin. Common surgical techniques used to remove this type of skin cancer include:
How to Manage Chronic White Skin Rash
Strategies for managing a chronic white skin rash vary depending on the cause of the problem. Contact a dermatologist for a treatment regimen designed to help manage the condition causing your symptoms.
General skin care to reduce the incidence of clogged pores and dryness can support healthy-looking skin. This can include the following strategies:
4 Dermatologists Share Tips for Preventing Skin Cancer Year-Round
Summary
While a white rash on your skin is likely harmless, changes in your skin color should not be ignored. Sometimes, a white rash or white spots can indicate a more severe problem, such as basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer.
Specific symptoms and treatments for a white rash vary based on the cause. Some causes of a white rash, such as milia, can resolve on their own without treatment; more severe causes of white spots, such as skin cancer, typically need surgical removal as early as possible.
Contact a dermatologist or general healthcare provider if you notice changes in the color or texture of your skin.
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27 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.What are basal and squamous cell skin cancers?Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School.5 skin spots you shouldn’t worry about.Juntongjin P, Laosakul K.Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis: a review of its etiology, pathogenesis, findings, and treatments.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2016;17(4):403-411. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0195-3Bulat V, Šitum M, Maričić G, Škudar VL, Kovačević M, et al.Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis: a comprehensive overview.Pigmentary Disorders2014;1:150. doi:10.4172/2376-0427.1000150American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are milia?DermNet.Pityriasis alba.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Vitiligo.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Tinea versicolor.Cedars Sinai.Tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor).Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma warning signs.Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma risk factors.Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials.Why do I get white spots on my skin from the sun?American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis.USF Health Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery.What are milia – and how do you get rid of them?American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Pityriasis alba.Vitiligo Society.What you need to know about vitiligo.Mount Sinai.Milia.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What is a dermatologist?Merck Manual Consumer Version.Diagnosis of skin disorders.Kaiser Permanente.KOH Preparation.Stanford Medicine Health Care.What are sun spots?Bibeau K, Ezzedine K, Harris JE, et al.Mental health and psychosocial quality-of-life burden among patients with vitiligo: findings from the global VALIANT study.JAMA Dermatol.2023;159(10):1124–1128. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.2787DermNet.idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis.UC Davis Health Department of Dermatology.Vitiligo.Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.Skin care tips dermatologists use.Food and Drug Administration.Sunscreen: how to help protect your skin from the sun.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Pityriasis alba.
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Mount Sinai.Milia.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What is a dermatologist?
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Food and Drug Administration.Sunscreen: how to help protect your skin from the sun.
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