White spots on baby's skin: causes, characteristics, and how to deal with them

Red spots on the skin of babies are quite common, and are usually caused by mosquito bites. However, what about white patches on baby's skin? Actually, what causes the appearance of this condition and how to deal with it? The following is the full explanation.

The cause of the appearance of white spots on the baby's skin

Babies have sensitive skin and are thinner than adults. This sensitive skin makes your little one prone to rashes or blisters due to irritation or friction.

Apart from being a reddish rash, skin problems in babies can also cause whitish spots. Here are some of the causes of white spots or rashes on baby's skin and face:

1. Milia

The appearance of milia at first glance is similar to acne. The difference is, milia look like white spots on baby's skin.

Milia white patches usually appear on the skin of the baby's nose, chin, and cheeks, although they can also appear around the eyelids and genitals.

This skin problem is very common in babies, even newborns. The Mayo Clinic says milia are formed when dead skin flakes get trapped in the pores.

Milia can also form from skin that heals after damage, such as from excessive blisters, rashes, or sunburn.

If you find milia white patches on your baby's skin, you don't need to worry. This condition does not cause pain, heat, stinging, or itching.

How to fix it:

There is no specific treatment for milia because the condition will go away on its own, usually in a matter of weeks or months.

If the milia does not go away and causes concern, do not hesitate to consult a doctor.

As a treatment, you only need to clean the baby's body every day with soap and warm water. Then dry it by patting the body lightly with a towel.

Avoid baby care products that contain fragrances, dyes, or other irritants that can irritate the skin.

2.Erythema toxicum neonatorum (ETN)

Source: Baby Center

White patches on the baby's skin and face can be caused by erythema toxicum neonatorum (ETN).

This condition causes the appearance of small, yellow bumps that gradually turn white or slightly reddish on the skin.

When touched, the lump will feel hard and can break apart with fluid.

ETN usually affects the skin of the face and midsection, such as the chest. However, it can also appear on the arms and legs.

Babies can have this condition at birth, or one to two days after the baby is born.

The emergence of ETN is believed to be a response of the baby's body to microbes that infiltrate the skin's pores. Once the immune system is developed and stronger, the baby's skin will be less sensitive.

How to fix it:

American Osteopathic College of Dermatology says, white patches on baby's skin due to ETN do not require special treatment. The spots generally disappear on their own within 5 or 14 days.

Even so, resilient can break at any time. Therefore, you should be careful when cleaning the baby's body or dressing for him because it can break the elasticity.

Don't forget to always maintain the cleanliness of the baby's body and clothes so that their skin will recover faster from this condition.

3. Vitiligo

Source: Health Xchange

Vitiligo is a hereditary (genetic) skin disease that causes discoloration of the skin with the appearance of white patches on the baby's skin.

The patches vary in size, can be small or large and appear around the face, hands, feet and lips. Not only the skin, this disease also causes the color of hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows to turn white.

Vitiligo occurs when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) die or stop producing melanin.

Melanin is a colorant to skin, hair and eyes. The stopping of melanin production is thought to be due to an autoimmune process.

However, many other factors also play a role in the appearance of these white patches, such as sun exposure and industrial chemicals.

This disease does not cause pain in the skin. However, it can cause discoloration of the retina (inner lining of the eyeball) and hearing loss.

How to fix it:

These white patches on baby's skin cannot be cured with home care. However, parents can take proper care of the baby's skin in order to prevent the spread of skin discoloration.

You should keep your little one out of direct sunlight and use the creams that doctors prescribe to protect the skin.

In addition, the doctor will consider treatment according to the baby's skin condition including administration of drugs, therapy, surgery, or a combination.

4. Panu

Source: WebMD

Panu or tinea versicolor is a fungal infection that causes white patches on the skin of babies.

Panu is not only white, but can also be brown, red, or pink. These patches are oval-shaped, dry, scaly, and cause itching.

Quoting from Kids Health, tinea versicolor caused by a type of fungus that lives on the surface of the skin.

The damp environment of the skin is indeed a great place for fungi to breed.

So, if the baby's skin is due to sweat, he is prone to experiencing this condition.

Babies who are malnourished or have an immune system are also more prone to developing these skin problems.

How to fix it:

White spots on the skin of this baby's face can only be cured with anti-fungal creams.

However, you should not use this medicine carelessly because the baby's skin is still sensitive. So, it would be better if the medicine is according to a doctor's prescription.

In order not to relapse, keep your baby's skin clean by regularly bathing the baby.

Avoid letting the baby wear clothes that are wet with sweat for a long time. Then, don't forget to change the baby's diaper when it's dirty and wet.