How To Tell If It’s Vitiligo or Something Else?

Posted 2024-02-19 07:14:28

Vitiligo is identified as an autoimmune disorder. It is a skin condition that causes areas of the skin to lose colour or pigmentation. It is not found to be contagious and can occur in any part of your body. If you notice light or white skin patches on your body, chances are high that it might be a vitiligo condition.

You can end your research at Dr. Nivedita Dadu if you are searching for the Best Vitiligo Specialist in Delhi to consult for your health condition. Also, we have come up with this article after conversing with her on vitiligo, its symptoms, and on what basis it is different from other similar skin conditions. Let’s start by getting an overview of vitiligo first!

What Do You Understand By Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a skin condition that usually occurs when the melanocyte cells responsible for your skin colour are destroyed. When these melanocytes do not produce skin pigmentation or melanin, areas of your skin lose colour or turn white. Areas of lost pigment and white skin patches can develop anywhere on your body, such as:

Genitals
Nostrils
Back of the eye
Inside the mouth or other mucus membranes
Sun-exposed areas such as feet, arms, hands, and face
Within the hearing system of the ear

Besides those mentioned above, if the areas involved have hair, it may turn them grey or white.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of vitiligo may include:

Patchy loss of skin colour, which generally appears on the face, hands, and areas around body openings and the genitals
Premature whitening or greying of the hair on your scalp, eyelashes, beard, or eyebrows
Loss of color in the tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose
Eye color changes
Hearing loss
Itchy skin

Vitiligo can start at any age but generally affects people before 30. There can be various types of vitiligo; depending on the type you have, it may involve:

Many Parts of the Body: It is termed generalized vitiligo; discoloured patches symmetrically progress on corresponding body parts.
Only One Side or Part of the Body: This is identified as segmental vitiligo. It mostly occurs at a younger age, progresses for a year or two, and then stops.
One of only a Few Areas of the Body: This type is called localized vitiligo.
Nearly all Skin Surfaces: This discolouration affects almost all skin surfaces.
The Face and Hands: This vitiligo affects the skin on the face and hands and around body openings, such as the eyes, nose, and ears.

Causes of Vitiligo

Vitiligo is caused when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) die or stop producing melanin (which gives your skin, hair, and eyes colour). The involved patches of skin become lighter or white. It is unclear exactly what causes these pigment cells to fail or die. Still, the causes of vitiligo may be related to:

Family history
Autoimmune condition
A trigger event, such as stress, severe sunburn, or skin trauma (contact with a chemical)

How Is Vitiligo Diagnosed?

At your appointment with a dermatologist, your doctor may ask about the following:

The History of the Patches: Your doctor may ask when they first appeared. Are they spreading or staying in one area?
Your Health History: Your doctor will ask about your health history and whether you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.
Family History of Vitiligo: Vitiligo is known to run in families. About 20% of people with vitiligo have close relatives with the same issue.
Any Recent Stressful Event: Your doctor may also ask about the current events that might have stressed you out physically or emotionally, like sudden changes in life or severe sunburns.

What Common Skin Conditions Are Often Confused With Vitiligo?

Determining if you are dealing with vitiligo or any other skin condition is important. Here’s a look at these conditions commonly mistaken for vitiligo and how they differ from it.