Do you have white spots on your hands? Do you want to know why they appear? Do you want to get rid of them? Several factors are associated with the appearance of white spots on the hands, including fungi on the skin, to slightly more challenging conditions such as vitiligo.
Any change in the appearance of the skin can speak about our state of health, the hands do not go beyond this rule, and if you have observed white spots on them, you must identify the cause of appearance to know if you should follow specific medical treatment. In the following FastlyHealarticle, we explain in detail why white spots appear on the hands, their treatment, and what natural remedies can help to hide them.
Table of Contents
Why do white spots appear on the hands: causes
The spots on the skin can reflect a particular situation, and among the most common causes of white spots on the hands, we find:
- White spots from the sun: This is the common cause of white spots on your hands. Sun exposure causes melanin to stop being produced, forming depigmented areas that can appear as isolated spots or as a whole. Fortunately, these spots are benign, but it implies that we must increase sun protection.
- Sun allergy: or what is medically known as photodermatitis. It is an allergic manifestation of exposure to sunlight; in this case, the white spots that may appear are more frequent in people who have a greater capacity to assimilate solar radiation. It may, on occasion, also manifest itself with red bumps, swelling, and blisters.
- Hand fungi: they are more frequent in people with excessive sweating, acne, oily skin, and hormonal imbalance. They appear as small and soft white spots; they usually disappear if the appropriate treatment is used. Otherwise, they can grow until they become much more visible.
- Pigmentation problems: some people have issues related to pigmentation, increasing the probability of the appearance of spots. In this case, white spots appear in those with low amounts of melanin.
- Pityriasis alba: This is another skin condition where light spots appear and become much more visible after sun exposure. It is common in children and adolescents.
- Guttate hypomelanosis is a disease of unknown origin, usually associated with age. Pearlescent or pearly depigmented macules-type spots characterize it. It has been reported that almost 80% of the population older than 70 years of age have idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis.
- Vitiligo: skin disease characterized by whitish patches on the skin; it is believed to be related to genetic or immunological factors.
- Vitamin deficiency: changes in diet can directly impact the presence of depigmented spots on the skin.
- Skin cancer is not frequent, but it may manifest itself with a different hue; it can be an area with less pigment or whitish.
White spots on the hands: treatment
The treatment of white spots on the hands will depend on what is the cause of their appearance:
- Sunscreen should be used daily on the hands, especially if constantly exposed to the sun.
- Avoid using artificial tanning.
- Avoid staying too long in the sun.
- Corticosteroid creams can be purchased without a prescription and are valuable when treating white spots on the hands.
- Antifungal creams will be necessary in case of fungal infection; they can be purchased without a prescription, including ketoconazole and imidazole.
- Vitiligo requires special medical treatment, including topical creams such as corticosteroids and UV light treatments.
- Laser treatment can also help treat white spots on the skin, exerting a photomechanical effect in the desired place.
Remedies for white spots on hands
Likewise, there are some effective natural remedies for white spots on the skin of the hands, although they should not be used as a substitute for medical treatments if the sites are a consequence of some disease:
- Garlic: allows removing stains after several applications. It is recommended to crush several garlic and marinate them in a container with olive oil. After one week, the denim is used on the stains at least once a day for seven days or until they have disappeared.
- Honey: applying honey on the hands helps the skin to regain its standard color, trying to restore the whitish spots to their hue.
- Aloe vera: applying directly the gel extracted from the plant or creams with its extract will be satisfactory for treating stains on the hands. Moisten them, apply aloe on the skin for a few minutes, and leave for a few hours. Do this every day for 14 days.
- Papaya: it is rich in vitamin E and can promote melanin production. Make a puree with its pulp and apply it to the spots two times a day.
- Red clay: use and let it act for 15-20 minutes, then remove with plenty of warm water. It is suggested to prepare it with two tablespoons of powdered red clay plus one tablespoon of ginger infusion.
In general, white spots on the hands do not usually represent a serious problem since there are no significant symptoms associated; however, the dermatologist is the one to control the spots, determine the cause and treat them properly.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to White spots on the hands: why they come out, treatment and remedies , we recommend that you enter our Skin, hair and nails category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.