It can be alarming when white spots appear on your skin. Many skin conditions can cause white patches or spots on your skin, including vitiligo, fungal infections, and psoriasis, but did you know that they can also be caused by vitamin deficiencies? Your skin requires the right balance of vitamins and minerals to look its best and protect the rest of your body. Find out how white spots on the skin are related to vitamin deficiencies and learn how our skin care experts can help.
Which vitamin deficiency causes white spots on skin?
There are many vitamins that influence your skin’s health. Let’s take a closer look at some of these vitamins and how you can increase your dietary intake.
Folate
Vitamin B-9, also called folate or folic acid, is an important nutrient for your skin and body. Folate aids in red blood cell production and also promotes healthy skin cell development. A loss of pigmentation in your skin can occur if you’re deficient in folate, and it also increases your risk of folate-deficiency anemia, which leads to pale-looking skin.
Since folate is found in a variety of foods, it’s easy to increase your intake. Dark leafy greens, fortified fruit juices, whole grains, beans, and sunflower seeds are good sources of folate.
Vitamin B-12
A deficiency in vitamin B-12 can present itself as white spots or patches on your skin. Since vitamin B-12 is also essential for the production of hemoglobin in red blood cells, you may also be at risk for pernicious anemia, a condition that causes pale skin, fever, and weight loss.
Vitamin B-12 is primarily found in eggs and animal products such as meats. If you’re a vegan and follow a diet of mostly plant-based foods, you may face vitamin B-12 deficiency. Talk to your doctor about taking B-12 supplements to lower your risk of a loss of skin pigmentation and anemia.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an important vitamin that supports skin health by encouraging the production of collagen, and it’s an antioxidant that fights damage caused by free radicals. Skin pigmentation is also affected by low levels of vitamin C, resulting in paleness. Fortunately, many foods are rich in vitamin C, including oranges and other citrus fruits, cantaloupe, bell peppers, strawberries, and broccoli.
Vitamin D
The levels of vitamin D in your body are influenced by your skin’s pigmentation. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin its color, and it’s produced by cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes help synthesize vitamin D when you’re exposed to direct sunlight. If you have a darker skin tone, you require more sunlight than people with lighter skin tones to avoid a vitamin D deficiency.
In addition to receiving adequate sun exposure, vitamin D is also found in fortified cereals and milk. Talk to your dermatologist about how you can receive enough sun exposure during the way to meet your body’s needs for vitamin D without damaging your skin.
Can a vitamin deficiency be treated?
If you think that you have a vitamin deficiency, it’s important to consult with your doctor. Many vitamin deficiencies can be fixed by increasing your dietary intake of key vitamins and nutrients and possibly supplements, but these issues should be discussed with a medical professional.
How our skin care specialists can help
Our team of dermatologists and skin care specialists have the training and expertise needed to diagnose and treat most skin conditions. If you have white spots on the skin, here’s how the skin experts at TheDerm can help.
Skin Exam
The development of white spots and any other changes in your skin’s appearance can be a concern and should always be evaluated by a skin care expert. Although usually harmless, white spots or patches on your skin can occur for a variety of reasons and may be a sign of a skin disorder. Receiving a skin exam at TheDerm can help rule out serious conditions that can threaten your health.
Cosmetic Consultation
Scheduling a cosmetic consultation gives our expert team the opportunity to examine your skin and discuss your specific skin care goals or concerns. This includes white spots on the skin or any other issues affecting your skin’s pigmentation. During a cosmetic consultation, we’ll assess your skin and devise a treatment plan that takes your skin, aesthetic goals, and lifestyle into consideration.
Schedule your consultation
At TheDerm, we provide a variety of treatment options that can help you improve your skin’s health and diminish the appearance of white spots. Schedule your appointment today to consult with our skin care experts.
