Can eczema cause white patches on skin?

My dermatologist explained that severe eczema can cause a condition called pityriasis alba, which presents as dry, pale, or white patches on the skin. It happens because the intense inflammation temporarily disrupts normal pigment production. The spots usually fade and blend back to normal after a few months of proper moisturizing.

Yes, eczema can cause temporary light patches as the skin heals from severe dryness. Keeping the area protected with a good moisturizer and sunscreen is usually key to recovering your natural skin tone.

I am new to this and recently noticed some small, light patches on my cheeks after a bad dry spell. Is this common with eczema, and will these white patches go away on their own, or do I need a special medicated cream for them?

According to my skin tracking app, these light patches are quite common post-eczema. I made sure to track my daily water intake and used a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, which helped the pigment return to normal much faster.

I had these exact white patches on my arms last winter after my eczema cleared up. It can look scary, but it's just the skin's way of healing after being so inflamed. Just keep applying a gentle, fragrance-free lotion and be patient with it.