Why do I have white patches and dark circles on my face?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have white patches on the skin with itching on the face, and the skin is very black under the eyes. What should I do?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

White patches on the skin, together with itching and dark circles under the eyes, can occur due to several skin conditions. The most common possibilities include fungal infection, pityriasis alba, post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, nutritional deficiencies, or, rarely, vitiligo. Since you are also experiencing itching, a superficial fungal infection or Pityriasis alba related to dry or sensitive skin is more likely.

Dark circles under the eyes may occur due to lack of sleep, stress, nutritional deficiency (especially iron or vitamin deficiencies), dehydration, allergy, or genetic factors. Caffeine creams can sometimes help slightly with puffiness, but usually do not completely remove dark circles.

I would suggest the following general measures:

Use a gentle face wash and moisturiser twice daily to reduce dryness and itching.
Avoid harsh soaps, strong cosmetic products, or frequent scrubbing.
Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day, as sun exposure can make white patches and dark circles appear more prominent.
Maintain adequate nutrition, especially iron-rich foods, fruits, vegetables, eggs, and proteins, because your weight (66 pounds) is quite low for your height, and nutritional deficiency may contribute to skin changes.
Ensure seven to eight hours of sleep and good hydration daily.

If possible, please share a clear photo of the white patches and the area around the eyes., This information will help narrow down the cause and guide proper treatment.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.