Do I Have Vitiligo?

Do you have patchy loss of skin color, which usually first appears on the hands, face, and areas around body openings and the genitals?

Do you have premature whitening or graying of the hair on your scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard?

Do you have the loss of color in the tissues that line the inside of your mouth and nose (mucous membranes)?

Do you have the loss of skin color at the sites of previous injuries (cuts, scratches, acne, thermal burns and sunburns)?

Do your well-defined white patches occasionally have an inflamed red border?

Do you have a family history of vitiligo?

Do you have emotional problems due to your skin appearance, such as low self-esteem or depression?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have vitiligo. Vitiligo is a medical condition characterized by the loss of skin color in patches. Milky-white patches of skin can appear on any part of the body, and tend to get bigger over time. Vitiligo is not a dangerous condition, but it can be an aesthetic problem, especially for people with dark skin. It occurs in about 1 percent of the population affecting men and women equally. In most cases, the symptoms appear before the age of 30. It is an acquired condition that affects people of all races. Vitiligo also runs in family.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have vitiligo. Vitiligo is an acquired skin disorder in which the skin loses its natural color. In some people a section of hair can turn white, while others can lose the color inside their mouths. Vitiligo occurs due to the destruction or loss of function of cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin. The amount of melanin determines the color of your skin, hair and eyes. If melanocytes do not produce melanin for some reason, the skin color will become lighter. A diagnosis is based on a physical examination, a skin biopsy and blood tests.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have vitiligo. Vitiligo is a medical condition in which smooth milky-white patches form on the skin. It usually begins on the hands, forearms, feet and face. There are several types of vitiligo depending on the amount of the affected skin. Some people have several depigmented areas, while others have widespread skin discoloration. The exact cause of vitiligo is not known, but it is believed to be related to the improper function of the immune system. Treatment involves the use of medications and light-based therapies that can help restore skin color or even out its tone.