White Spots on Skin – Causes, Home Remedies, Precautions

Skin discoloration is one of the most common problems related to skin. Skin discoloration can appear on any part of the body. White spots can be of various forms and can appear on the skin due to oxidative stress, chemical reactions, genetic cause and viral causes. Skin discoloration can even occur due to a medical condition or due to an autoimmune disorder as well. White spots can appear as a small patch or bump. It may also appear as a large patch covering a large part of your body part or your skin.

Types & Causes of white spots on the skin

Here are some of the most common types and causes of white spots. 

1. Milia

Milia, small, hard, white bumps on the skin. They can occur in people of any age group. These small bumps develop when keratin and dead skin cell components get trapped under the skin surface. 

2. Pityriasis alba

Pityriasis alba may be thought to be a type of eczema. Pityriasis alba lesion appears as pale pink or red in colour. These are scaly lesions on the skin which clear out to appear as smooth and white (hypopigmented) patches. 

3. Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin condition that can occur in people of any skin color. This condition might be inherited. Its lesion appears as hypopigmented patches. These lesions can appear on any part of the body. These lesions may appear as a small patch and may slowly increase in the size and may cover a large part of the body. 

4. Pityriasis Versicolor

Pityriasis Versicolor is a common condition, due to a yeast infection, that causes lighter or darker patches on the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body and may itch or feel dry or scaly. Pityriasis Versicolor lesion appears as an overgrowth on the skin. These lesions can change their color, causing pityriasis versicolor. 

5. Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, also known as white sunspots, are flat white spots that can be 1 to 10 millimetres in diameter. These spots can appear on the face, arms, upper back, and shins. Mostly people with fair skin get these developed, but people with dark skin can get these developed as well. 

20 home remedies for white spots on skin

Home Remedies For Vitiligo 

• Remedy 1: Frankincense Essential Oil   

Ingredients: 

1. Frankincense Essential Oil – 5 to 7 drops 
2. Coconut oil – 1 tablespoon 

Procedure: 

1. Take a bowl and mix Frankincense Essential Oil and coconut oil in it. 
2. Massage this mixture of oil on the affected area for 5 minutes. Don’t wash.
3. Use this remedy daily for 2 weeks. 

• Remedy 2: Papaya   

Ingredients: 

1. Papaya slices – 2 to 3

Procedure: 

1. Take slices of papaya and mash them and apply it as a layer on the affected area. 
2. Let it rest for 10 – 12 minutes.
3. Rinse using cool water.
4. Repeat it once every day for 2 weeks.

• Remedy 3: Green Juice   

Ingredients: 

1. Cucumber – 1
2. Celery – 5 stalks
3. Kale Leaves – 2 to 3
4. Apple – 1/2
5. Lemon juice – 1/2 tablespoon 

Procedure: 

1. Add a cucumber, stalks of celery, kale leaves, apple and lemon juice in a blender. 
2. Blend all these ingredients. 
3. Drink one glass of this fresh green juice once a day for 2 weeks. 

• Remedy 4: Neem  

Ingredients: 

1. Neem leaves – 20 to 25 
2. Honey – 1 teaspoon 
3. Coconut oil – 1 teaspoon 

Procedure: 

1. Blend the Neem leaves in a blender to obtain a paste. 
2. Add honey to the paste and mix well. 
3. Apply this paste on the affected area and let it dry. 
4. Rinse the paste after 15 – 20 minutes. 
5. Now, massage coconut oil on the affected area for 5 minutes. Don’t wash. 
6. Repeat this process once a day for 2 weeks. 

• Remedy 5: Red Clay  

Ingredients: 

1. Red clay – 2 tablespoons 
2. Ginger juice – 1 tablespoon 

Procedure: 

1. Take a small bowl and mix red clay and ginger juice in it. 
2. Apply this paste on the affected area and massage gently for 2 – 3 minutes. 
3. Leave the paste on for 10 minutes. 
4. After that, Rinse the paste with plain water. 
5. Repeat this process once a day for 1 – 2 weeks. 

• Remedy 6: Beetroot   

Ingredients: 

1. Beetroots – 2 
2. Ginger – small 

Procedure: 

1. Put beetroot and ginger in the blender. 
2. Blend the ingredients and strain the mixture.
3. Drink this mixture as it is. 
4. Consume this mixture once daily for 1 to 2 weeks. 

• Remedy 7: Aloe Vera   

Ingredients: 

1. Aloe vera leaf – 1 

Procedure: 

1. Take an aloe vera leaf and cut it open. 
2. Extract the gel present inside the leaf. 
3. Apply this gel on the affected area and leave it on for 2 hours.
4. Rinse off using plain water. 
5. Repeat this remedy 2 – 3 times daily for 2 – 3 weeks. 

• Remedy 8: Turmeric And Mustard Oil   

Ingredients: 

1. Mustard oil – 250 ml
2. Turmeric powder – 5 teaspoon 

Procedure: 

1. Take a small bowl and mix turmeric powder and mustard oil in it. 
2. Apply this mixture on the affected area and let it sit on the skin for 3 hours. 
3. You can store the remaining mixture in an airtight container. 
4. Repeat this procedure two times a day until you get the desired results.

• Remedy 9: Ginger   

Ingredients: 

1. Ginger juice – 1 tablespoon 
2. Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon 
3. Water – 1 glass

Procedure: 

1. Take a glass of water and add both ginger juice and lemon juice in it. 
2. Mix well. 
3. Drink this once daily for 1 – 2 weeks. 

• Remedy 10: Radish Seeds  

Ingredients: 

1. Radish seeds – 50 gm
2. White vinegar – 50 – 60 ml

Procedure: 

1. Take radish seeds and crush them to obtain a fine powder. 
2. Mix this powder in white vinegar and mix well to make a smooth paste.
3. Apply this paste on the affected areas.
4. Leave the paste on for 15 minutes. 
5. After that, rinse thoroughly with plain water. 
6. Repeat this remedy daily for six months.

Home Remedies For Milia  

• Remedy 11: Pomegranate Peel Powder  

Ingredients: 

1. Pomegranate peels 
2. Lemon juice – 2 tablespoon 

Procedure: 

1. Take some Pomegranate peels of 2 to 3 pomegranates and roast them until they become dark brown in color. 
2. Grind these roasted peels to obtain a fine powder. 
3. Now, Take a bowl and add 2 tablespoons of roasted peel powder in it. 
4. Add lemon juice in the bowl and mix the ingredients to form a thick paste. 
5. Rub this paste gently on the affected area for 20 minutes. Wash with plain water. 
6. Repeat this process three times a day for 2 weeks for 4 weeks. 

• Remedy 12: Green Gram Flour And Jojoba Oil Scrub  

Ingredients: 

1. Jojoba Oil – 1 tablespoon
2. Green gram flour – 1 tablespoon

Procedure: 

1. Take a bowl and mix green gram flour and jojoba Oil in it. 
2. Rub this mixture on the affected area of the skin. 
3. Do this daily for 2 weeks to alleviate milia.

• Remedy 13: Cornstarch And Apple Cider Vinegar  

Ingredients: 

1. Corn starch – 3 teaspoon
2. Apple Cider Vinegar – 1 teaspoon 

Procedure: 

1. Take a bowl and mix Apple cider vinegar and corn starch in it to obtain a paste. 
2. Apply this paste to the affected area and leave it on for 30 minutes. 
3. After that, remove the paste with a wet cloth. 
4. Repeat it once a day for 2 – 3 weeks.

• Remedy 14: Egg Mask  

Ingredients: 

1. Organic yogurt – 1 tablespoon
2. Raw honey – 1 tablespoon
3. Almond oil – 1/2 teaspoon
4. Egg white – 1 egg

Procedure: 

1. Take a bowl and mix almond oil, organic yogurt, egg white and warm honey in it. 
2. Mix all these ingredients well. 
3. Apply a thin layer of this mixture on your face. 
4. Let it rest for 30 minutes. 
5. Rinse off with warm water. 
6. Repeat it twice a week for one month.

• Remedy 15: Cinnamon Mask  

Ingredients: 

1. Baking soda – 1 tablespoon
2. Cinnamon powder – 1/2 tablespoon
3. Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
4. Water 

Procedure: 

1. Take a bowl and mix cinnamon powder, lemon juice, and baking soda in it. 
2. Add some water in the bowl and mix the ingredients to obtain a smooth paste. 
3. Apply this paste on the affected area. 
4. Leave it for 20 –  25 minutes. 
5. Wash off using lukewarm water. 
6. Follow this remedy twice a week for 2 – 3 weeks.

Home Remedies For Tinea Versicolor   

• Remedy 16: Turmeric   

Ingredients: 

1. Turmeric powder – 1 tablespoon 
2. Sandalwood powder – 1 tablespoon 
3. Water

Procedure: 

1. Take a small bowl and mix turmeric powder and sandalwood powder in it.
2. Add enough water in this mixture to obtain a paste.
3. Apply this paste to the affected areas of the skin. 
4. Leave this paste on for 30 minutes. 
5. Rinse it off using plain water.
6. Repeat it once a day for two weeks. 

• Remedy 17: Oregano Oil   

Ingredients: 

1. Oregano essential oil – 1 teaspoon 
2. Extra virgin olive oil – 1 teaspoon 

Procedure: 

1. Take a small bowl and add both oregano essential oil and extra virgin olive oil in it. 
2. Mix well. 
3. Apply this mixture on the affected areas of the skin using a cotton ball.
4. Leave it on for 30 minutes. 
5. After that, rinse it off using lukewarm water.
6. Follow this remedy once every day for 2 – 3 weeks.

• Remedy 18: Indian Lilac (Neem)   

Ingredients: 

1. Neem leaves – 25 to 30
2. Water – 2 cups 

Procedure: 

1. Boil the washed neem leaves in water for 10 minutes. 
2. Strain the solution and allow the water to cool down. 
3. Wash the affected area of the skin by using this water. 
4. Repeat it 2 to 3 times a day for two weeks.

• Remedy 19: Tea Tree Oil   

Ingredients: 

1. Tea tree oil – 5 to 7 drops 
2. Extra virgin coconut oil – 1 tablespoon 

Procedure: 

1. Take a bowl and mix tea tree oil and extra-virgin coconut oil in it.
2. Apply this mixture of oil on the affected area of the skin using a cotton ball.
3. Allow it to dry on its own.
4. After that, rinse it off using lukewarm water.
5. Repeat this remedy twice daily for 2 weeks.

• Remedy 20: Apple Cider Vinegar   

Ingredients: 

1. Apple cider vinegar – 1 tablespoon 
2. Lukewarm water – 1 tablespoon 

Procedure: 

1. Take a bowl and mix apple cider vinegar and lukewarm water in it. 
2. Apply this solution on the affected area using a cotton ball. 
3. Leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
4. Repeat it once daily for 2 weeks.

Precautions

1. Always Apply Sunscreen before Stepping Out Of the Home

There are many skin conditions that get triggered due to excessive exposure to sun rays. Therefore it is always wise to apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or more on the exposed parts of the body. This will help you in protecting your skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun. 

2. Always Remember To Exfoliate Your Skin

Make sure that you exfoliate your skin on a regular basis to remove the dead cells. Always use a scrub which suits your skin type. 

3. Use Astringent To Clean Your Face 

Clean your skin twice a day using a mild astringent to keep harmful microorganisms at bay.

4. Protect Your Skin from Abrasions And Cuts 

If your skin is prone to vitiligo due to any reason then it’s your responsibility to be extra cautious towards reducing the chances of skin trauma as much as possible. A small cut or abrasion increases the chances of developing vitiligo in the bruised areas.

5. Wash Your Face Regularly With a Gentle Soap or Face Wash 

Always try to use a gentle soap to wash your face as it will help you in keeping your skin hydrated. You should strictly avoid using soaps and face washes that contain harsh chemicals that have damaging effects on the skin.

OTC Products

1. Tinea versicolor (Pthyriasis versicolor) 

For a mild case of tinea versicolor over-the-counter antifungal lotion, cream, Ointment, soaps or shampoo can prove to be beneficial. Some of the otc products  for Tinea Versicolor include: 

• Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF) cream or lotion
• Miconazole (Micaderm) cream
• Zinc pyrithione soap
• Selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue) 1 per cent lotion
• Terbinafine (Lamisil AT) cream or gel

2. Milia 

• Over-the-counter skincare products which have alpha hydroxy acids are effective to treat milia. 
• Salicylic acid gels and creams are also used for treating this condition. 

Myths and facts

Myth	Fact
Myth: Vitiligo is a very contagious condition.	Fact: No, vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, not an infection, which means it is not at all contagious.
Myth: Individuals with Vitiligo are deficient in mental and physical abilities.	Fact: This is not true as Vitiligo is a condition that is only limited to the skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Which Race Is More Prone To Get Vitiligo?

Answer: Vitiligo can affect individuals of any race but people with dark skin are more susceptible to it. People within the age group of 10 – 30 years are more prone to vitiligo.