
Why did white patches suddenly appear on the face?
Recently, I noticed a white patch on my friend's face and wondered why a white spot would suddenly appear on the face.

Sudden white patches on the face may have multiple causes, including but not limited to the following:
1. Vitiligo: This is an autoimmune disease characterized by white patches with clear boundaries appearing on the skin, commonly found on exposed areas such as the face, hands, and feet.
2. Pityriasis alba: Frequently occurs on the face,表现为 round or irregular patches, often with fine scaling on the surface, possibly related to malnutrition, sun exposure, and other factors.
3. Tinea versicolor: Also known as pityriasis versicolor, it is a common fungal infection primarily affecting the face, neck, and trunk. It is characterized by light-colored to white round or oval spots with slight flaking on the surface.
4. Anemic nevus: A vascular tissue developmental defect and functional abnormality表现为 pale white patches. The surrounding skin may become congested and red when rubbed or exposed to heat, while the white patch itself remains unchanged.
5. Achromic nevus: A congenital, localized light-colored patch distributed focally or along nerve segments, with indistinct borders and often jagged edges.
Sudden white patches on the face may be caused by various factors. Timely medical consultation and scientific treatment are crucial.