"Dozens of cases": The skin phenomenon alarming parents
Three siblings returned from a vacation in Greece with white spots on their faces. Their mother suspected a fungal infection, but a dermatologist explained that it is a common, non-contagious skin condition that often causes unnecessary panic among parents. The doctor noted: "We are seeing dozens of such cases."
Iris (pseudonym) and her three children, aged 10, 12, and 15, returned from a family vacation in Greece. During the trip, she noticed white spots appearing on their faces and was convinced it was a fungus. "I was sure that all my children had caught a fungus on their faces," she told mako Health. "When I saw that all three had white spots, it didn't occur to me that there was another explanation." According to her, even after trying antifungal treatment, the spots did not go away. It was only after visiting a dermatologist that she learned it was not a fungus at all.
"We are seeing many inquiries from worried parents during this period," notes Dr. Raed Khoury, a dermatologist and venereologist in the Haifa and Western Galilee district of Clalit. "Suddenly, white spots appear on the children's faces, and parents are sure it is a fungus or that the children infected each other in a play area, summer camp, or pool. In practice, it is a common skin phenomenon that is not contagious at all, called Pityriasis alba."
A common and non-contagious phenomenon
Dr. Khoury explains that it is a temporary decrease in pigmentation caused by mild skin inflammation due to dryness. In the summer, when the sun is strong, the skin on the face tans, but in areas where there is dryness and mild inflammation, pigment production is reduced, making the white spots stand out much more. This is why the phenomenon is prominent at this time of year.
According to him, this is not an isolated case. "My colleagues also see dozens of children with the same phenomenon during this period. Sometimes families come in where several siblings have similar spots, and parents are sure it is something that passed from child to child, but it is not a contagious disease."
The spots can remain on the skin for weeks or even months, but they usually fade as exposure to the sun decreases. The main treatment is moisturizing cream and sun protection. In cases with an inflammatory component, topical steroids may be considered, but it is important not to rush into antifungal treatment when it is not needed.
Dr. Efrat Bar-Ilan, a senior pediatric dermatologist at Clalit (Dan-Petah Tikva district), adds that it is important to reassure parents who are alarmed by the appearance of the spots:
"Pityriasis alba is a very common phenomenon in children, and in most cases, it passes gradually and does not leave scars or permanent changes in skin color. Sometimes it takes the skin several months to return to a uniform shade, so in most cases, there is not necessarily a reason for concern."
Her message to parents is that not every white spot should be a cause for worry. "Not every white spot is a fungus, and it is not necessarily vitiligo," she explains. "In most cases in children, it is a simple and benign condition. If there are white spots on other areas of the body, or if there is scaling on the spots, I recommend an examination by a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis. In the vast majority of cases, one can be reassured, treat the skin gently, and give it time to return to its natural color."
