The medical name is a mouthful, but the condition itself is simple: idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (often called IGH).
Let’s break it down:
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Idiopathic – The cause isn’t fully understood
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Guttate – Latin for “teardrop-shaped”
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Hypomelanosis – Loss of skin pigment
What it looks like:
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Small, flat white spots, usually 1-5mm in size
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Most commonly on sun-exposed areas: shins, forearms, shoulders
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Smooth texture (not scaly or raised)
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More common as we age (often starting after 40)
What causes it?
While the exact cause isn’t known, IGH is strongly associated with:
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Sun exposure over many years (it’s most common on sun-exposed skin)
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Natural aging – the spots become more common as we get older
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Genetics – some people are simply more prone to them
Is it harmful?
