2006-08-03 04:10:17 · 3 answers · asked by Brattydogs 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Skin Conditions
All over ... consider:
albinism
decreased exposure to sunlight
in patches ... consider
vitiligo
2006-08-03 04:17:38 · answer #1 · answered by Orinoco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is in patches it could be vitaligo. I have it and I look like what I call someone for got to mix me up good. I have had it come on at the age of 12 and now at 38 my arms and legs are almost all white with just some spots that will tan. I would take your child to a dermatologist to get it checked out. The "white skin" burns really easy and I with out wearing at least 45spf sunscreen I can get skin cancer too. Good luck to you...
2006-08-03 21:50:00 · answer #2 · answered by Daisymay3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Skin pigmentation
The color of skin is mainly due to the amount of brown melanin pigment mixed with blue (from reduced haemoglobin), red (from oxyhaemoglobin) and yellow (from carotenoids in the diet). The amount of melanin is determined by constitutional color (white, brown or black skin) and skin photo type, i.e. the result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (tanning).
Increase in melanin (hyper pigmentation or hypermelanosis) can be due to an increased number of pigment cells (melanocytes) or from increased production of melanin.
Reduction in melanin results in pale patches (hypopigmentation or hypomelanosis) or white patches (leucoderma).
2006-08-03 12:51:37 · answer #3 · answered by Q. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋