What is vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a skin condition where patches of skin become pale or white. It affects about 2 people in every 100.

White patches on your skin usually show up before 30 years of age, but it can happen at any age.

If you have vitiligo, you are likely to be generally healthy in other ways. But you may feel upset because of how your skin looks.

What are the symptoms of vitiligo?

The main symptom of vitiligo is having pale or white patches of skin. The white areas of skin usually have clear borders and there is no inflammation (swelling).

The patches can happen on any part of the body. However, they are more likely to happen in:

• sun exposed areas
• areas where skin rubs against skin
• areas where your skin was previously damaged, such as from a cut or burn

Vitiligo can also appear:

• under the arms
• in the groin
• between the buttocks
• around body openings

Your hair may also turn white in an area with vitiligo. So, your head or facial hair might turn grey earlier than usual.

Vitiligo can spread to other parts of your body, especially during times of:

• distress
• stress
• illness
• injury
• pregnancy

Sometimes your vitiligo doesn’t change. Sometimes your vitiligo spreads. Occasionally, white areas can suddenly get their colour back.

If you have vitiligo, you may not have any other medical problems. However, you may also get another autoimmune condition such as:

• Graves’ disease (an overactive thyroid)
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (an underactive thyroid)
• type 1 diabetes
• pernicious anaemia

What causes vitiligo?

The cause of vitiligo is unclear, but it’s thought to be an autoimmune condition. This is where your immune system attacks other cells in your body. In vitiligo it attacks the cells that make your skin colour (pigment).

About 1 in 10 people with vitiligo have someone else in their family with the condition.

When should I see my doctor?

Speak with your doctor if you notice white coloured areas appearing on your skin.

How is vitiligo diagnosed?

Your doctor will talk to you and examine you. Doctors usually diagnose vitiligo by how it looks.

There are usually no specific tests you need to have. Your doctor may refer you for blood tests to check for autoimmune diseases.

How is vitiligo treated?

There are 4 vitiligo treatment options, but treatment can be slow and complete skin colour matching may not be achievable:

1. Using makeup and dyes to cover affected areas.
2. Using treatments to lower inflammation, destroy the pigment cells or help nearby cells make more pigment. This can be done using:
   • cortisone creams or ointments put on your skin
   • light therapy
   • creams that work with sunlight
   • medicines (such as tacrolimus, pimecrolimus or calcipotriol)
3. Re-pigmentation — using surgery to move your own pigment cells to the areas affected by vitiligo.
4. Depigmentation — removing pigment from unaffected skin to create a consistent skin colour if you have widespread vitiligo.

A dermatologist (skin doctor) can help you take care of your vitiligo if it bothers you.

You don’t always need to treat vitiligo. If you have light skin, you may decide not to treat it if there isn’t an obvious colour difference.

Getting psychological support can be an important part of your treatment if you feel upset about how your skin looks.

What are the complications of vitiligo?

People with vitiligo have a higher chance of having mental health problems such as anxiety or depression.

Having vitiligo can be emotionally challenging. You may wish to speak with your doctor about a referral to a psychologist or counsellor.

To find your nearest psychology clinic or after-hours medical service, use the healthdirect Service Finder tool.

Can vitiligo be prevented?

There is no way to prevent vitiligo. Treatment can help stop the progress of the condition.

Resources and support

You can get support and information from the Vitiligo Association of Australia for people with vitiligo.

The Skin Health Institute has more information and resources about vitiligo.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.