Tips to get rid of white spots

The skin is made up of many layers that help it protect the body from various diseases and infections. The color of the skin is determined by the quantity of a particular pigment that is found in the skin. This pigment is known as melanin. Darker skinned individuals have a higher amount of melanin in their skin than lighter skinned individuals. In some cases, melanin distribution may be uneven leading to darker or lighter patches of skin.

White spots on legs can be a result of a few different conditions. It is important that the patient is aware of the underlying condition that is causing the white skin spots. In some cases, the condition is caused by an infection or infestation while in other cases it is caused by a deficiency of melanin. Vitiligo is a disease that affects the skin's ability to generate melanin. This results in patches of skin that lose their color. Gradually, the skin patches become larger and larger. An individual with serious vitiligo will change his or her skin color to a light shade of pink. Vitiligo is a condition that cannot be cured. Certain creams and steroid treatments can be used to help reduce the spread or the speed of the spread of this condition. The condition, however, cannot be reversed. It must be noted that patients suffering from vitiligo may not experience any itching or discomfort associated with the change in their skin color.

White skin spots may also be caused by a fungal infection. Fungi are present on and within the human body in small quantities. Regular washing and good hygiene usually ensures that fungi do not have the opportunity to multiply. However, an individual may suffer from skin fungus that causes the skin to appear white in patches. This type of problem may also cause itching and irritation on the skin. The treatment of this kind of problem is based on the diagnosis of the condition. In some cases, samples of the infected area may be scraped off for testing to determine the exact type of fungi. The patient will then be given topical and oral treatments to deal with the condition. In some cases, the skin may lose its pigment due to underexposure to the sun. Individuals suffering from this type of problem may spend time in the sun as this helps to nourish the skin by aiding the production of vitamin D.

answered by G M

White spots on the legs may be on account of vitiligo, idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis or tinea versicolor. You may need to speak to a dermatologist to figure out the exact nature of the problem. I am suggesting some general remedies for depigmentation, but they are not a substitute for diagnosis and medical attention in this case.

There is no known cure for vitiligo , but some encouraging studies have been conducted and show the following supplements to be of some benefit.

• In one study 52 people had a supplement of gingko biloba extract at a dose of 40 mg three time per day for six months and significant repigmentation was seein in 40% of the people who participated in the study
• In another study an extract of a plant called khella was tested for its ability to bring about repigmentation. The active ingredient in the plant is khellin. At 120-160 mg per day, there appears to have been moderate success.

Homeopathy is known to show benefit in vitiligo in some case and some anecdotal reports of complete cures do exist so maybe you could explore that option as well.

Tinea versicolor is a fungal infection that causes depigmented patches to appear on the skin. It is a temporary condition that heals once the infection is treated and is not contagious. Some natural remedies that may help with the problem are:

• Applying anti-dandruff shampoo that contains selenium sulphide to the discoloured patches once a week.
• Adding tea tree oil to your body wash or applying it topically after diluting it with some mineral oil or petroleum jelly. Teatree oil is a natural antifungal
• Taking garlic extract or Olive leaf extract as a supplement. Both are said to be good antifungals
• A mixture of honey, olive oil and beeswax in equal proportions has been shown to help with Tinea Versicolour in a small published study

answered by S E