"Is White Spotting on the Hands a Sign of Vitiligo?"

Hand White Spots May Indicate Vitiligo, Yet Other Conditions Cannot Be Ruled Out

White spots on the hands could be indicative of vitiligo, but the possibility of other diseases should not be overlooked. It is recommended that patients seek medical attention promptly and undergo relevant examinations under the guidance of a physician to confirm the diagnosis and receive targeted treatment. Vitiligo is a common depigmenting skin disorder characterized by the appearance of white patches of varying sizes on the skin, with clear boundaries, smooth surfaces, and no conscious symptoms. If a patient develops white spots on their hands accompanied by the aforementioned symptoms, vitiligo should be considered as a possibility. In such cases, auxiliary examinations such as Wood's lamp examination and dermatoscopy can be performed at a hospital for confirmation.

Apart from vitiligo, white spots on the hands may also be caused by pityriasis versicolor, pityriasis alba, anemia nevus, among other reasons. Pityriasis versicolor is a fungal skin disease caused by Malassezia infection, manifesting as round or oval, faintly white patches on the hands with unclear edges and covered with fine scales. Pityriasis alba, on the other hand, is often associated with malnutrition and vitamin deficiency, presenting as round or oval, light white patches on the hands with indistinct borders. Anemia nevus is a congenital, localized hypopigmented macule that generally does not require special treatment.

In daily life, it is essential to take proper care of the hands, avoiding scratching the affected areas. Additionally, maintaining local cleanliness and hygiene is crucial, and contact with irritants should be avoided.