What causes white patches on the face?
Disease description:
Recently, I noticed several white patches on my face. The color is lighter than the surrounding skin, with a smooth surface and no peeling. There is no pain or itching, but they are quite noticeable. I would like to know what is causing this?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wenmin
White patches appearing on the face may be caused by various factors, such as genetics, environment, and diseases.
Some types of white patches, like vitiligo, may be influenced by genetic factors, and individuals with a family history of the condition are more likely to develop it. Environmental factors, such as pollution—especially industrial pollutants and residual chemical pesticides—may enter the body through the food chain and trigger the development of white patches. Vitiligo is a common pigmentation disorder characterized by localized or widespread white patches on the skin, caused by damage to or loss of melanocytes in the skin.
In addition to vitiligo, other causes of facial white patches may include fungal infections (such as pityriasis versicolor), pigment loss due to excessive sun exposure, drug reactions, autoimmune diseases, and uneven pigmentation following skin trauma. If white patches appear on the face, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention for diagnosis and treatment by a qualified physician.
Maintaining healthy lifestyle and dietary habits, and avoiding prolonged sun exposure, can help prevent and improve skin problems.
