What Causes White Patches on the Face?

Malnutrition, selective or picky eating, and improper dietary habits are also major contributing factors to facial white patches. In particular, individuals who habitually consume unhealthy foods due to selective or picky eating may develop malnutrition; prolonged malnutrition can lead to deficiencies in certain trace elements, thereby resulting in white patches on the face. Facial white patches may also be tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor), which arises from inadequate sun protection and prolonged sun exposure, causing pigment loss and subsequent hypopigmented patches. When caused by tinea versicolor, affected skin often presents with symptoms such as pruritus (itching) and dryness. In children, the presence of intestinal roundworms (ascariasis) may manifest as white patches on the face; similarly, some adults may also exhibit facial white patches associated with ascariasis.