Do I need to see a doctor about this, or is it like my mum says and very common?

[ThreeDaughtersLoveSandwiches]

I have got a few patches of skin that don't seem to have any pigment. I have got a tan at the moment and these patches are still white.

There are two very small patches on my upper arm and 2 larger ones on my back. The smaller of the two on my back is about the size of a 5p and the other is at least twice the size.

Someone noticed and said I should go to the doctor but when I mentioned it to my mum she said it is very common and nothing to worry about.

Should I get it looked at or is it fine to just leave it?

TIA

[CaptainJamesTKirk]

How old are you?

[RippingYarns]

i would get it checked out

it could be something or nothing, but if it's something like vitiligo you should perhaps have it confirmed so you can be aware for extra sunblock etc

[ChippingInHopHopHop]

I wondered if it was like mine, but it's not. I have tiny white bits/marks/whatevers - they are kind of like 'white freckles'. I have no idea what they are, but my Dad had them too, so I haven't worried about them. I think it's probably absolutely nothing, but maybe worth a mention next time you go.

[RobotHamster]

Sounds like vitiligo, but worth getting it checked out.

[digerd]

Does you DM have them too? It is usually loss of pigment in various areas of the skin and is genetic.
If you are worried see GP.

[ThreeDaughtersLoveSandwiches]

I am 34.

It is the sun thing that was concerning me. I got sunburnt earlier this summer, they went very red and then back to white again.

Thank you for the quick replies.

[ThreeDaughtersLoveSandwiches]

My mum says she does have them, but every time I mention anything health wise she has had it so I kind of ignore her now

[Ginformation]

be pityriasis versicolor (harmless) www.bad.org.uk/site/858/default.aspx
but difficult to say without seeing the patches.

[fackinell]

Is it scar tissue? This doesn't tan. I have white spots on the sites I had bad chickenpox and a deep cut.

I'd still get it checked out by a professional though.

[Ginformation]

Arse.
this

[digerd]

I would have shown DD my white patches. I assume your DM didn't.
You should put extra strong sun cream on as lack of pigmentation can make your skin vulnerable to the sun. Pigmentation is there to protect it.

[ThreeDaughtersLoveSandwiches]

No I had this conversation with my DM over the phone and it hasn't been mentioned since.

Most of the time they are covered but if I wear vests and a couple of other tops they are visible.

Thanks I will mention it if I need to go to the doctors at some point.

[CaptainJamesTKirk]

You are young for general age related skin changes so I would get it checked out to be sure. The women in my family seem to get lighter patches of skin on their face and neck in the late 40s early 50s.

[CockyFox]

I have a patch on my leg, 2 inches x 1 inch that doesn't tan, just stays white it has never gone red.
I have had it my entire life, my mum took me to the doctors when I was a baby and he said it was just missing pigment and fairly common, nothing to worry about as long as it only grew in proportion to my body but didn't increase in percentage terms. It hasn't grown since I stopped growing.

So I would say if you have always had it probably nothing to worry about but if it is a new thing a trip to the doctors.

[ThreeDaughtersLoveSandwiches]

I am quite pale normally so only really noticeable because of the tan. It has only been there since this summer though doesn't appear to have gotten any bigger since I noticed it.

I have the opposite on my forehead from a couple of summers ago where I got brown and then it didn't go.

It is only the skin cancer aspect that worries me.

Thanks again :)

[MyBoysAreFab]

It does sound like vitiligo. It is an auto immune disease. I developed it after the birth of DS2, and have it on my right arm and neck. Apparently it is one of these things you can develop after pregnancy. I believe it can spread/get worse, but mine has remained in the same places.

The main concern is to use high factor sunblock on it. But I would go to the doctor for advice.

[MyBoysAreFab]

It does sound like vitiligo. It is an auto immune disease. I developed it after the birth of DS2, and have it on my right arm and neck. Apparently it is one of these things you can develop after pregnancy. I believe it can spread/get worse, but mine has remained in the same places.

The main concern is to use high factor sunblock on it. But I would go to the doctor for advice.

[ThreeDaughtersLoveSandwiches]

I was also diagnosed with an underactive thyroid this summer, which having googled, can also be caused by an auto-immune disease.

Thank you for the replies I think I will make an appointment.

[Yonihadtoask]

I have noticed these over the past few years too.

It's this www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/brown-spots/_/white-spots

I have always been a sun worshipper, to my detriment. Even DH has developed a few in recent years.

I believe it is pretty common. When on hols in sunny places I notice it a lot on older tourists.

Like you say though, it isn't noticeable when there is no tan.

[Montybojangles]

Sounds like vitiligo. See your gp.

[Yonihadtoask]

I re read your first post, and your patches sound different to mine.

My white patches are freckle sized (apart from the one on my chest).

So, maybe not the same.