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What Causes White Patches On Hands?

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Posted on Thu, 19 Jun 2014
Question: White patches on hands. Isolated only on the right hand. Not existent anywhere else on the body. No itching sensation. Responds to stimuli, for eg: I can feel the slightest prick of a sharp object on the spot.

The first 3 spots appeared nearly 7 years ago. Now there are 15 very minute spots.

Doctor informed that it could be manifestation of a diabetic condition (not necessarily mine, but in family) and also related it to the condition of attached foreskin in the genital.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Phanindra Dulipala (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Mention the size of spots.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, I had gone through your query and understood your concerns.

With the clear history you have mentioned, i understand you are not a diabetic but your family is. If you are a diabetic mention.

May i know the size of the previous spots and recent ones . The age of recent ones and the work you do.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Phanindra Dulipala (19 minutes later)
The biggest spot i have is 3 mm in diameter. The older spots are also of similar size.
The new spots start very small, 1 mm in diameter maybe.

I am not diabetic. I am software consultant - occupy a desk job. But, I am physically fit and exercise regularly. I occasionally consume alchohol(beer) once in a month. But I smoke an average 5 cigarettes a week. I am not a compulsive smoker.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Phanindra Dulipala (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Could be malnutrition or UV rays exposure

Detailed Answer:
Sir, The spots of that size normally are of three different reasons.

1) Malnutrition: lack of vitamin D, E and calcium. Supplementation of them is required and steroid creams topically.

2) The white spots/marks (usually around 2-5 mm in size) appear on the skin areas that are normally exposed like the arms, face and neck areas. This means that there is a high likelihood that this condition is caused by the sun's UV rays.

You can use steroid cream. Alternatively, there are surgical procedures that your doctor may recommend after examining you. Surgical procedures like cryotherapy involve using nitrogen to freeze the affected areas.

3)When you suffer from vitiligo, it means that your melanocytes have been destroyed, and so, there is no melanin production. White spots will appear in the initial stages of vitiligo, but as time goes by the spots enlarge to white skin patches. If no treatment is received, the discolouration could affect the whole body in the long-run.

It is not a must for you to use a medical treatment when treating vitiligo because there are times when the color of the skin returns without using any treatments. For some, however, using cosmetic cram and sunscreen improves the appearance of their skin. Those with fair skin should avoid tanning because it will only make the patches noticeable. You can also use topical corticosteroids and immunomodulators. In severe cases, surgery is needed.


As far as the history concerned in your case probably the first two conditions are most aptly applicable. You can consult local dermatologist and discuss regarding these conditions.


Hope this guides you. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health. Thank you.
Dr. Phanindra Dulipala.
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Phanindra Dulipala

Diabetologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 722 Questions

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What Causes White Patches On Hands?

Brief Answer: Mention the size of spots. Detailed Answer: Hi, I had gone through your query and understood your concerns. With the clear history you have mentioned, i understand you are not a diabetic but your family is. If you are a diabetic mention. May i know the size of the previous spots and recent ones . The age of recent ones and the work you do.