Vitiligo on Fair Skin: How to Tell If You Have This Common Condition (With Pictures)

Vitiligois a chronic condition that causes white patches on the skin. In people with darker skin tones, vitiligo is usually pretty easy to spot. But it can be more subtle in people with lighter or fair skin tones. To make it even more challenging, there are other common conditions that cause white spots and can be mistaken for vitiligo.

Here, we'll review what you need to know about vitiligo on white skin, including what it looks like, other conditions that can mimic it, and the best way to treat it.

What is vitiligo?

Vitiligo causes patches of skin to lose their color and eventually turn white. Scientists aren't exactly sure whatcauses vitiligo.

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• Is there a cure for vitiligo?No. But,these treatmentscan restore lost skin color and keep new patches from forming.

Some experts think vitiligo may be caused by anautoimmune conditionthat affects melanocytes. Melanocytes are special skin cells that make melanin, the pigment that gives your skin and hair their color. In vitiligo, your immune system attacks melanocytes so they can't produce melanin. This causes skin and hair to lose their natural color and turn white.

Symptoms of vitiligo When you have vitiligo, white patches can appear anywhere on your skin. And there aren't usually any other symptoms. The number and size of patches and how much total skin is affected varies from person to person.

Here are somecommon patternsof vitiligo:

• Generalized:This is the most common type. Multiple patches can appear on the face and body, usually in a symmetric pattern (affecting the same area on both sides of the body).
• Localized:A few patches develop in one or a few places on the body.
• Universal:This is an uncommon type that involves most of the skin.
• Segmental:This is the least common type that affects only one side of the body.

What does vitiligo look like in people with fair skin?

Vitiligo causes milky-white patches that are different sizes and shapes. As the patches grow, they can sometimes appear pinkish-white.

Vitiligo is hard to see in people with fair skin because there isn't as much contrast with the surrounding skin. Vitiligo skin doesn't tan (in fact, it burns easily). So, it may be easiest to see in the summer as healthy surrounding skin tans. Here are some pictures of vitiligo on white skin.

Early vitiligo starting on the finger.

Vitiligo on fair skin can be hard to see.

Vitiligo on the face can cause eyelashes to turn white.

White and pink vitiligo patch on fair skin. What can be mistaken for vitiligo?

Other skin conditions can cause white patches on the skin and be mistaken for vitiligo. You may have to see a dermatologist to know which one you have. They can often make the diagnosis by examining your skin and using a special handheld light called a Wood's lamp. Sometimes, askin biopsyis needed to make the diagnosis.

Here are some common conditions that look like vitiligo.

Pityriasis albaPityriasis albacauses lighter patches of skin, usually on the face, chest, or arms in children and teenagers. It's more common in people with eczema. Unlike vitiligo, the patches of pityriasis alba still contain some color pigment and don't have sharp borders.

Pityriasis alba on the cheek. Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosisIdiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH)causes multiple small, round, white spots, usually on the arms and legs. The cause of IGH isn't known. But it may run in families and be related to sun exposure.

Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis on the arm. Tinea versicolorTinea versicoloris a fungal infection that causes light-colored patches, usually on the face, upper back, chest, and upper arms. Unlike vitiligo, it can be itchy, and it's usually scaly - not smooth.

Tinea versicolor on the back. Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation is white spots that develop after skin inflammation heals. This can happen after a skin injury (like a scrape) or a rash (like acne) heals. We're not sure why it happens. But the inflammation seems to change the level of melanin pigment in the skin.

Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation on the back. How do you treat vitiligo on fair skin?

Thetreatment optionsfor vitiligo are the same for all skin tones. There's no cure, but treatments can help stop vitiligo from spreading and help your skin regain its natural color. Deciding which treatment is right for you depends on many things, including how much the vitiligo bothers you, how much skin is involved, and where you have it.

It's common to combine treatments and change treatments if they don't work well. Here are the main treatment options for vitiligo:

• Medicated creams:First-choice treatments usually includeOpzelura(an FDA-approvedJAK inhibitor) and corticosteroids (likebetamethasone). Other options include calcineurin inhibitors, liketacrolimus(Protopic), and vitamin D creams, likecalcipotriene(Dovonex).
• Light therapy (phototherapy):Ultraviolet lightis delivered to the skin in a controlled setting. This is usually done in your doctor's office.
• Systemic treatments:For more severe vitiligo, these are stronger medications given as pills. They're more likely to have more side effects. Examples includeprednisoneandmethotrexate.
• Surgery:There aredifferent types of surgery. They usually involve removing small pieces of unaffected skin and putting them into vitiligo patches. This can be an option when other treatments don't work.
• Sunscreen:Daily sunscreenis a must if you have vitiligo. This protects your skin from sunburn, which can make vitiligo worse and increase your risk ofskin cancer.

Many people with vitiligo also use camouflage creams. They come in different shades and blend in with unaffected skin. They don't treat vitiligo, but they canreduce feelings of self-consciousnessand improve quality of life for some. If you want ideas forvitiligo camouflage products, take a look at what has worked for some people with vitiligo.

Frequently asked questions

Is vitiligo genetic?expand_more Yes, vitiligo can be genetic, but it isn't always. About2 in 10 peoplewith vitiligo will have a close family member who also has it.

Who's more prone to vitiligo?expand_more

• Can vitamin deficiencies cause vitiligo?expand_more
• Is vitiligo associated with other health conditions? expand_more
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  " data-qa="ContentCalloutH2Title" The bottom line
• Vitiligo is a common skin condition that causes white spots to develop on the skin. It can be harder to spot vitiligo in fair skin because there isn't as much contrast with the surrounding skin. Other skin conditions that cause white patches, like tinea versicolor and pityriasis alba, can be mistaken for vitiligo. Before starting treatment, it's important to get the right diagnosis.

Treating vitiligo in fair skin includes medicated creams, pills that work throughout the body, and light therapy. Wearing sunscreen is also a must to protect your skin from sunburn.

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