What causes loss of pigment in a man who is 38 years old?

My son says that he has just began to notice round white spots on him. Could this be something else, because there is nothing in the family about loss of pigment. I got white hair when I was 18 years old and I had to die it, but that's about it.

What causes loss of pigment in a man who is 38 years old?
There is a skin condition called vitiligo, which causes patches of skin to lose their pigment.





There is also a fungal infection called tinea versicolor that can make the skin look patchy. It isn't really a loss of pigment but more that the skin under the infection doesn't tan or darken the way the rest of the skin does.





Those are my best two guesses, based on your very brief description. Please note that I am not a dermatologist. ;-) Your son should see one; they will be much better able to say what it is.
Reply:Thanks!





I should also have mentioned that neither of those things is dangerous. I don't know that they can do anything about vitiligo, but tinea versicolor is easily treatable. Report It