want to mention them to a doctor.
The Most Common Cause: Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis
The medical name is a mouthful, but the condition itself is simple: idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (often called IGH).
Let’s break it down:
Idiopathic – The cause isn’t fully understood
Guttate – Latin for “teardrop-shaped”
Anatomy
Hypomelanosis – Loss of skin pigment
What it looks like:
Small, flat white spots, usually 1-5mm in size
Most commonly on sun-exposed areas: shins, forearms, shoulders
Smooth texture (not scaly or raised)
More common as we age (often starting after 40)
What causes it?
