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If your dermatologist informs you about Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis (IGH) causing the white patches on your skin, know that they pose no health threat. Nevertheless, you might find their appearance undesirable, particularly on visible areas like your legs or face. Luckily, various dermatological treatments offer promising results, including topical creams and therapies involving lasers, liquid nitrogen, and other agents.
Steps to Follow
Utilizing Prescribed Topical Creams
Inquire about prescribed topical steroids. Dermatologists often recommend steroid creams as the initial treatment for IGH and other skin conditions. Your doctor will prescribe a specific topical steroid and provide instructions on its application frequency and duration for treating IGH patches.
Explore the use of retinoids like tretinoin. If you experience unwanted side effects from topical steroids or prefer to avoid them, your doctor might suggest using retinoids instead. Tretinoin, a retinoid, is commonly prescribed for treating IGH because of its ease of application and mild side effects.
Try a topical NSAID such as pimecrolimus. While topical steroids are the usual first-line treatment for IGH, topical NSAIDs like pimecrolimus are also viable options. Your doctor will likely start you on one of these treatments and assess your progress. NSAID creams reduce inflammation and can help diminish the appearance of IGH spots over time.
Inducing Therapeutic Skin Damage to Address IGH
Consider weekly laser therapy sessions for approximately a month. Laser treatments, if offered by your dermatologist, typically require brief weekly appointments over the course of about a month. While laser spot treatments are generally painless, you may experience some burning or redness in the treated areas.
Think about spot cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen. During cryotherapy, a dermatologist will apply liquid nitrogen to IGH spots using a small tool similar to a cotton swab for 5-10 seconds. Any discomfort experienced is usually minor and short-lived.
Consider a chemical peel using 88% phenol or a similar solution. Opting for a phenol or similar chemical peel administered by a professional can lead to the disappearance of IGH spots within a few weeks in around two-thirds of cases. However, there's a possibility of scabbing or, rarely, ulceration of the spots. In rare instances, hyperpigmentation may occur, causing the spots to darken significantly compared to the surrounding skin.
Explore Intense Pulse Light (IPL) therapy. IPL treatments can help even out your skin tone by utilizing pulses of bright light to enhance skin appearance. Before treatment, you'll need a topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort, and protective eyewear is required during the procedure. Each session typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes, and you'll likely need 3 to 6 sessions spaced a month apart. Post-treatment, you may experience temporary redness and skin peeling.
Minimizing the Risk of Developing IGH Spots
Make sunscreen a daily essential. While the precise cause of IGH remains unclear, prolonged sun exposure is widely recognized as a significant contributing factor. To mitigate UV ray exposure, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to exposed skin before heading outdoors, regardless of cloud cover. IGH spots tend to appear on areas frequently exposed to the sun, such as the lower legs, arms, face, and neck.
Protect exposed skin. In addition to sunscreen application, shield your head, face, and eyes from the sun's rays by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Opt for clothing with long sleeves and pants, preferably made from fabrics offering UVA/UVB protection. Avoid outdoor activities between 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun's intensity is highest.
Avoid using tanning beds. Indulging in tanning beds today could result in numerous small white spots on your skin later. Tanning beds are known to trigger various skin issues and should be completely avoided. People who regularly use tanning beds before age 35 elevate their risk of developing melanoma (skin cancer) by 75 percent.
Maintain a robust immune system. Autoimmune disorders can predispose you to IGH, so prioritize maintaining a healthy immune system. If you have an autoimmune condition, ensure you seek treatment from a medical professional.
Avoid skin injuries. Skin trauma can increase your susceptibility to IGH, so take measures to protect your skin from harm. Promptly seek treatment for any skin injuries, such as burns or cuts, to minimize the risk of developing IGH.
Check your family history for IGH. Despite adhering to sun protection practices, genetic predisposition can still lead to IGH spots. While the exact reasons remain unclear, IGH appears to have a familial pattern. However, if IGH runs in your family, it's crucial to continue protecting your skin from sun exposure. IGH spots are more prevalent in individuals with fair skin but are more conspicuous in those with darker skin tones.
