How small does vitiligo start?

Vitiligo usually starts with a few small white macules or patches that may gradually spread over your body.

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What does vitiligo look like when it first starts?

Vitiligo often starts as a pale patch of skin that gradually turns completely white. The centre of a patch may be white, with paler skin around it. If there are blood vessels under the skin, the patch may be slightly pink, rather than white. The edges of the patch may be smooth or irregular.

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Does vitiligo start randomly?

Vitiligo develops when changes occur in these genes, and the changes happen in the right combination. Inheriting certain genes may increase the risk of something triggering (causing it to happen) vitiligo. Known vitiligo triggers include: A severe sunburn.

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What is the early age of vitiligo?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, up to half of people who develop vitiligo do so before the age of 20. But despite its high incidence in childhood and early adulthood, vitiligo can happen at any age, says the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).

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When should you suspect vitiligo?

Areas of your skin that lose their pigment are called macules if they're less than 1 centimeter wide, or patches if they're larger than 1 centimeter. If you have vitiligo on a part of your body that has hair, your hair may turn white or silver. The condition occurs when your body's immune system destroys melanocytes.

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How can one prevent spreading of vitiligo? - Dr. Nischal K

24 related questions found

What can vitiligo be mistaken for?

Pityriasis versicolor can sometimes be confused with vitiligo, as they both cause the skin to become discoloured in patches. But there are ways to tell the difference: vitiligo often develops symmetrically (on both sides of your body at the same time), while pityriasis versicolor may not.

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How do you know if it's not vitiligo?

Hypopigmented spots that are NOT vitiligo. If the spots are not truly white, but hypopigmented and not depigmented (they don't enhance by Wood's lamp), then they are NOT vitiligo and could be any number of different diseases and conditions.

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Can vitiligo start as dots?

At first, this might cause a small spot, called a macule, that's lighter in color than the skin around it. In time these white patches may spread and grow to cover a larger portion of the body. Sometimes these white patches spread quickly at first and then remain stable for years.

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Does vitiligo start slowly?

The most common type, non-segmental vitiligo, tends to spread slowly with new patches developing off and on throughout a person's life.

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How do you rule out vitiligo?

A skin biopsy can definitively tell the difference between missing melanocytes, which indicates vitiligo, and melanocytes that are malfunctioning for another reason. Vitiligo is diagnosed only if these pigment-producing cells are missing.

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What is the first stage of early vitiligo on the lips?

What Are The Early Signs Of Vitiligo On Lips? In most cases, vitiligo on lips starts with small patches of discolored skin. Though these white patches can appear anywhere on your lips, it usually occurs on the lateral lower lip.

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Can vitiligo be barely noticeable?

Vitiligo can cause minor changes or extensive changes in the skin. In some people, it may be hardly noticeable, while in others it is obvious.

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How can I test for vitiligo at home?

First, it is important to perform a self-check skin exam at home to look for any unusual signs or symptoms. There are no home tests that can test for vitiligo, but you can check if you have depigmented areas. It is possible for vitiligo to lead to hearing loss. This is because the inner ear contains melanocytes.

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Is early vitiligo treatable?

No drug can stop the process of vitiligo — the loss of pigment cells (melanocytes). But some drugs, used alone, in combination or with light therapy, can help restore some color. Drugs that control inflammation. Applying a corticosteroid cream to affected skin might return color.

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Is every white patch is vitiligo?

Vitiligo normally starts as a few little white patches that gradually spread over the body over months. Vitiligo most commonly affects the hands, forearms, feet, and face, but it can also affect the mucous membranes (wet lining of the mouth, nose, genitals, and rectal areas), the eyes, and the inner ears.

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Is vitiligo raised or flat?

Vitiligo may occur in the same areas on both sides of the face -- symmetrically -- or it may be patchy -- asymmetrical. The typical vitiligo lesion is flat and depigmented, but maintains the normal skin texture. The dark areas around the eyes are this person's normal skin color.

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What are the markers of vitiligo?

Vitiligo treatment is usually lengthy and challenging. Clinical markers, such as trichrome sign, confetti-like depigmentation, and Koebner phenomenon, may be more convenient and noninvasive than serum biomarkers for assessing the prognosis of vitiligo.

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Is it OK to leave vitiligo untreated?

However, people with vitiligo are usually in good health and live normal lives. If it is not associated with symptoms that cause physical discomfort or complications, the condition may be left untreated. Otherwise, there are 3 treatment options for vitiligo: Camouflage using makeup and dyes to conceal affected areas.

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Is vitiligo always symmetrical?

Usually vitiligo manifests as multiple spots on the skin that are found on both sides of the body, most commonly in a symmetric pattern. So, if there is a spot on one side of the face, there is often a matching spot on the other side.

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When should I worry about skin discoloration?

Call your health care provider for an appointment if you have: Skin discoloration that causes significant concern. Persistent, unexplained darkening or lightening of the skin. Any skin sore or lesion that changes shape, size, or color may be a sign of skin cancer.

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How do I know if I have vitiligo or tinea versicolor?

You'll usually spot signs of vitiligo on the face, hands, elbows and knees. It's unusual to see tinea versicolor on the hands or legs. TV is most common on the chest or back. And the discoloration isn't the same for both conditions.

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What are small light spots on skin?

White spots can appear when skin proteins or dead cells become trapped under the skin's surface. They can also result from depigmentation, or color loss, due to vitiligo or another health condition. White skin spots are not usually a reason for concern and do not cause major symptoms.

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Can you have a mild case of vitiligo?

While many people feel comfortable or enjoy how vitiligo looks, it may not be comfortable for everyone with the condition. In cases of mild vitiligo, a person can camouflage the white patches with colored cosmetic creams and makeup. They should select tones that best match their own skin tone.

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