I started getting white dots on my legs and sometimes on my arms about four or five years ago. I went to a dermatologist and he said that was the way my skin was. Wouldn’t this have been going on all of my life then? He said that if I get a tan, it would help cover it up, but that hasn’t worked either. I am very healthy as far as I know. I took diet pills for five years, but I have quit taking them now. I am 27 years old. I do not take birth control. Only medication I take is Wellbutrin and I just started that, so I know that is not the cause of these white dots. If I rub over my legs, they will go away and then come right back. Sometimes there not quiet so bad and not many, but sometimes, my legs are covered. I thought it might be bad circulation, but I started working out and it doesn’t seem to be getting better. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. These are horrible. I cannot wear a dress or shorts because of how it looks.

Dr. Joshua’s Answer:

A picture would be very helpful. If possible, take a digital photo and submit your question again using the form. Please note that there is a file upload feature in the submission form - use that to upload the image, or send the image via email.

Without actually seeing the white patches, I’ll give you some general information:

Some possible causes:
-infection (yeast..)
-allergy
-vitiligo

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease causing areas of the skin to lose pigment. Sun tanning actually makes this condition look worse, as the normal skin surrounding the patches will become darker and the white spots (they do not tan) will be contrasted even more. Application of local steroid may help, and sometimes a tanning lotion is used directly on the white patches. There are other, specialized treatments available, including UV light combined with a sensitizing drug, and even surgical options exist. These possibilities should be discussed with a dermatologist.

I’m happy that you have seen a dermatologist, and please talk to him/her again if you are not satisfied with the diagnosis / treatment.

Follow-up

Thank you for sending the picture. Here it is:

Now that I’ve seen the picture I would tend to agree with your dermatologist - it looks like just a characteristic of your skin, a pigment variant. From what I can see in the picture, it does not look like vitiligo. Maybe, in the end, it’s just the way your skin is. If you are unhappy with this, please talk to your dermatologist again.