What can be misdiagnosed as vitiligo?

Truly depigmented spots that are NOT vitiligo
  • idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH)
  • Nevus Depigmentosus.
  • Albinism.
  • Piebaldism.
  • Melasma.
  • Tinea versicolor.
  • Progressive macular hypomelanosis.
  • Pityriasis alba.

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What skin conditions mimic vitiligo?

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 is vitiligo or something else?

What are the signs and symptoms of vitiligo?
  1. Spots and patches of lighter skin. ...
  2. Patches turn white. ...
  3. Lighter patches inside your mouth or nose. ...
  4. Patches and spots sunburn easily. ...
  5. Patches itch. ...
  6. Hair turns white or gray. ...
  7. Eyelash, eyebrow, or section of hair on the scalp turns white. ...
  8. Hearing loss develops.

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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 autoimmune disease is linked to vitiligo?

About 15 to 25 percent of people with vitiligo are also affected by at least one other autoimmune disorder, particularly autoimmune thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis , pernicious anemia, Addison disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis ...

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In-depth: Living with vitiligo and what doctors advise if you notice early onset signs

26 related questions found

Which is the most common disorder associated with vitiligo?

Vitiligo seems to be more common in people who have a family history of the disorder or who have certain autoimmune diseases, including:
  • Addison's disease.
  • Pernicious anemia.
  • Psoriasis.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus.
  • Thyroid disease.
  • Type 1 diabetes.

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What organ system does vitiligo affect?

Vitiligo is an under-recognized organ-specific autoimmune disease of the skin that results from cytotoxic T cell-mediated attack on melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the epidermis (18).

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What is the first spot of vitiligo?

Vitiligo typically begins on your hands, forearms, feet and face, but can develop on any part of your body, including your mucous membranes (the moist lining of your mouth, nose, genital and rectal areas), your eyes and inner ears.

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What is the first line for vitiligo?

First-line vitiligo treatment includes moderate-to-high strength topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, both of which dampen the cellular immune response (Table 1).

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What is the starting stage of vitiligo?

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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Can something trigger vitiligo?

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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Do you turn completely white with vitiligo?

What are vitiligo symptoms? Vitiligo symptoms showcase discoloration on the most exposed skin but its development is not always predictable. Most of the times, if it develops fully, it turns your entire body into pale white which is often addressed as Universal Vitiligo.

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Can vitiligo affect eye color?

The melanocytes (pigment cells) produced in your iris determine the color of your eyes. If vitiligo affects these melanocytes, you might notice a sudden shift in eye color. The exact color can vary by person but may look gray or lighter than your regular eye color.

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What virus can cause vitiligo?

Vitiligo is associated with other autoimmune disorders and has been reported to develop following the onset of viral illnesses, such as HIV, hepatitis C virus, and cytomegalovirus.

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Can melanoma look like vitiligo?

Vitiligo-like lesions may appear during primary or metastatic melanoma [8]. It affects 3% to 6% of melanoma cases. Leukoderma can precede, from a few months to several years, the appearance of melanoma [1, 9]. Or it can appear on primary or metastatic melanoma spontaneously or during melanoma treatment.

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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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What is the marker for vitiligo?

Highlights. IL-22 is the best marker of active universal type vitiligo. IL-23 is elevated in patients with vitiligo. The concentration of Il-22 is directly proportional to the area of skin affected.

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Can vitamin D reverse vitiligo?

Studies suggest that vitamin D3 increases tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis in vitro [12], which may lead to repigmentation in vitiligo skin lesions. Calcipotriol and tacalcitol, which are vitamin D analogs, are also known to induce repigmentation in patients with vitiligo [13,14].

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What blood tests detect vitiligo?

Appropriate tests should be performed only in the presence of signs or symptoms of associated disease. Laboratory work for vitiligo may include the following: Thyroid panel consisting of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (T3), and free thyroxine (T4) levels. Antinuclear antibody.

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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 three stages of vitiligo?

Localized: Skin patches are found on limited areas of the body. Generalized: Skin patches are scattered around the body. Mucosal : Vitiligo affects the mucous membranes found in the mouth and/or genitals. Focal: Skin patches remain in a small area of the body without spreading in the first two years.

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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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What makes vitiligo worse?

Certain components of hair dye, bleaching agents, and skin-care products can set off a vitiligo flare. Marmon advises choosing products labeled hypoallergenic that are free of harsh chemicals, fragrances, and irritants.

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Is vitiligo a hormone imbalance?

Conclusion: some hormonal indicators have a role in pathogenesis of vitiligo where their disturbance leads to melanocyte destruction and/or depigmentation. Vitiligo is an idiopathic disorder of skin and hair characterized by melanin loss.

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Can vitiligo lead to other autoimmune diseases?

The takeaway. People with vitiligo have an increased risk of other autoimmune conditions, which occur when the immune system attacks healthy tissues in the body.

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