- With Mayo Clinic dermatologist
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Dr. Lawrence Gibson likens bad health information on the Internet to food poisoning.
Consumers, he said, need to be aware, and will find reliable information at MayoClinic.com.
Dr. Gibson, a Covington, Ky., native, has been with Mayo since 1986 and is board certified in dermatology, dermatopathology and immunodermatology. He is a professor of dermatology at Mayo Medical School and a consultant in the Department of Dermatology.
Dr. Gibson has been director of the Dermatopathology Laboratory since 1998 and chair of the Laboratory Division in the Department of Dermatology since 2000. He is especially interested in inflammatory disorders of the skin and lymphoma affecting the skin.
"Electronic information is becoming a staple in the diet of a health conscious society," he said. "It's important to avoid misinformation and provide a credible source for health information. Using this analogy, it's critical to avoid 'indigestion' or worse yet, 'food poisoning' by the ingestion of tainted information."
Symptoms (1)
- White patch on skin: A cause for concern?
Lifestyle and home remedies (1)
- Eczema bleach bath: Can it improve my symptoms?
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Question
White patch on skin: A cause for concern?
Several months ago, my son developed a small white patch on the skin of his arm. It appears to be getting larger. Is a white patch on skin anything to be concerned about?
Answer
from Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Generally, a white patch on skin isn't cause for concern. Sometimes a small area of skin becomes irritated or develops mild eczema, which results in a patch of skin that's lighter in pigment than is the skin around it. This is particularly common in children who have allergies, asthma or eczema. Your son's doctor may recommend applying moisturizer to the affected skin and avoiding harsh or drying soaps.
Another possible cause of a white patch on skin is a superficial yeast infection (tinea versicolor), which may cause the skin to look either lighter or sometimes darker than normal. In this case, treatment may include antifungal creams or shampoos.
If the white patch on your son's arm continues to enlarge or if additional white patches appear in other places, consult a dermatologist for an evaluation. Various other skin diseases — including psoriasis and vitiligo — also may cause a light or white patch on skin.
Next questionEczema bleach bath: Can it improve my symptoms?
- Weston WL, et al. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (eczema). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2008.
- Weston WL, et al. Treatment of atopic dermatitis (eczema). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2008.
- Goldstein BG, et al. Tinea versicolor. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2008.
- Feldman SR, et al. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of psoriasis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2008.
- Goldstein BG, et al. Vitiligo. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2008.
