White Patches on Skin of a Child: What Does it Mean?

Changes in the health of skin and tissue are common among children and often is related to a bacterial or fungal infection. In some children, however, there can be complications associated with a genetic disorder, or pigment complication, which may cause white patches on skin to develop. If you've noticed a sudden change in your child's skin, it is important to seek out medical treatment immediately to determine the underlying cause and what, if any, treatment may be appropriate.

White patches on skin can be attributed to a number of causes and the initial examination by a dermatologist will typically involve visual inspection of the skin. Taking a medical history, the dermatologist can visually determine, in many cases, why your child's skin has changed and what the appropriate treatment will be. It is important that, as part of this initial examination, that you disclose the amount of time the changes have been present and what, if any, intermittent changes of skin have occurred.

A dermatologist is the health specialty that should examine your child's skin and, if possible, a pediatric dermatologist would be ideal. Because children experience a unique set of health risks, a pediatric dermatologist would be best suited to give you the testing and examination needed. If determined to be a fungal or bacterial infection, the course of treatment for white patches on skin will include topical lotions as well as oral medications.

For some children, the white patches on skin manifest from a genetic pre-disposition to poor tissue development or the development of pigmentary complications such as vitiligo disease. In these children, the treatments can be rather limited but consideration can be made for laser therapy and other advanced dermatological care. If the condition is expected to be long term, the dermatologist may also recommend seeking out mental health treatment as well, in an effort to negate any potential mental health issues that may arise.

Changes in skin appearance of children is common and part of the natural child growth and development. When your child develops complications involving white patches on the skin, always seek out dermatological care and follow the physician's instructions, even if the condition is a pigment complication for which no immediate skin care treatment can be provided.

Sources: How to Be Your Own Herbal Pharmacist, by Linda Page