What causes white patches on a child's face?

Under normal circumstances, patchy white spots on a child's face may be caused by sun exposure, excessive academic stress, anemic nevus, achromic nevus, or pityriasis alba. When physical abnormalities or discomfort occur, it is recommended to seek medical help promptly for targeted treatment. The specific causes are analyzed as follows:

1. Sun Exposure

Prolonged exposure to intense sunlight, especially without proper sun protection, can damage a child's facial skin due to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This may lead to uneven pigment distribution, resulting in patchy white areas. It is advisable to apply sunscreen and use sun-protective items such as hats and umbrellas when children go outdoors.

2. Excessive Academic Stress

Chronic academic pressure may cause endocrine disorders in children, affecting normal skin metabolism and pigment distribution, leading to uneven skin tone and patchy white spots on the face. In daily life, it's important to reduce children's academic burden and reasonably balance study and rest time.

3. Anemic Nevus

Anemic nevus is a congenital localized functional vascular developmental defect that may cause local vasoconstriction and reduced blood flow, resulting in pale patches on a child’s face. It usually appears as a single, round or oval lesion with clear but irregular borders. Treatment under medical guidance may include topical erythromycin ointment, mupirocin ointment, or vitamin B12 injections.

4. Achromic Nevus

Achromic nevus is a congenital localized depigmented patch, possibly related to abnormal synthesis or transport of melanosomes, leading to white patches on the child’s face. It may also present with colorless spots of varying sizes. Under medical supervision, cryotherapy—using low temperatures to destroy the affected tissue—may be used for treatment.

5. Pityriasis Alba

Pityriasis alba may be associated with microorganisms such as Malassezia furfur. Poor nutrition, vitamin deficiencies, wind exposure, sun exposure, and use of harsh soaps may trigger this condition. It commonly occurs on children's faces, presenting as patchy white areas, often accompanied by fine white scales and mild skin itching. Treatments may include urea cream, vitamin E lotion, or zinc oxide ointment, used according to medical advice.

In daily care, attention should be paid to sun protection, reducing academic stress, ensuring a balanced diet with adequate nutrients, and avoiding strongly alkaline soaps and other harsh cleansers. Minimizing skin irritation helps maintain healthy skin.