Understanding White Spots on a Child's Skin: Causes & Treatment

Two conditions, Pityriasis alba and Tinea versicolor, can cause white spots on the skin of toddlers. A physician can treat them topically, though it can take some time to bring the color back to normal.

Identification

• Pityriasis alba is the appearance of white, scaly patches that range from 1 to 2 inches in diameter and appear in the neck and arms of children. Tinea versicolor is caused by a fungus that lives on the skin and causes uneven coloration.

Features

• Most common in adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 to 30 years old, Tinea versicolor can happen at any age, toddlers included.

Diagnosis

• A pediatrician may scrape a small sample of skin to confirm the diagnosis. This procedure is painless and involves taking a specimen from one of the discolored patches.

Treatment

• Topical anti-fungal medicine treats Tinea versicolor. A moisturizer is used along with sunscreen to prevent the darkening of spots in treating Pityriasis alba. With the latter, the physician also may prescribe topical steroid cream.

Considerations

• Even when both conditions are treated, white patches can remain. It can take at least several weeks before the healthy skin adjusts its color to match surrounding skin.