Vitiligo Symptoms

Quick Glance: Common Vitiligo Symptoms

Common symptoms of vitiligo include:

• Pale patches of skin that gradually become white

• Loss of skin colour on the face, hands, feet, arms, elbows or knees

• Pale or white patches around the eyes, mouth or nose

• Loss of skin colour on the fingers, wrists, armpits, groin or genital area

• White or prematurely grey hair growing from affected areas

• Loss of pigment inside the mouth or nose

• Patches affecting one side or a specific area of the body in segmental vitiligo

• Increased sensitivity to sunlight and a higher risk of sunburn on affected skin

The appearance, size and location of vitiligo patches can vary from person to person. Some people may develop only a few small patches, while others may experience more widespread loss of skin colour.

Symptoms of Vitiligo That Should Not Be Ignored

New or changing areas of pigment loss should be assessed by a doctor, particularly when the cause is uncertain or the patches continue to spread. The table below highlights vitiligo symptoms that may warrant medical assessment and what they may indicate:

Why Do Vitiligo Symptoms Occur?

Vitiligo develops when melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing the pigment melanin, are lost or stop functioning. In non-segmental vitiligo, the most common form, the immune system is thought to mistakenly attack these pigment-producing cells. As melanocytes are lost, the affected areas of skin lose their natural colour and can become white.

Melanin also helps protect the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. When pigment is lost, affected areas become more sensitive to sunlight and can burn more easily. If melanocytes in the hair follicles are affected, hair growing from the affected area may also turn white or grey.

Vitiligo can sometimes be associated with inflammation affecting the eyes or ears, although these problems do not occur in everyone with vitiligo. These less common manifestations should be assessed separately from the typical skin symptoms of vitiligo.

Symptoms of Vitiligo That Require Immediate Medical Attention

Vitiligo itself is not usually a medical emergency. Loss of skin pigment does not normally cause severe breathing problems, loss of consciousness or other sudden life-threatening symptoms. However, some serious symptoms may occur due to another medical condition and should not be attributed to vitiligo without medical assessment.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Sudden or severe loss of vision

• Severe eye pain or major changes in vision

• Loss of consciousness

• Severe difficulty breathing

• Severe chest pain

• Sudden weakness, difficulty speaking or other sudden neurological symptoms

These symptoms are not typical symptoms of vitiligo, but they can indicate another serious medical problem that requires urgent evaluation.

Symptoms of Vitiligo Based on Type

The table below explains how the pattern and distribution of symptoms can differ between the two main clinically recognised types of vitiligo:

Symptoms of Vitiligo in Children

Vitiligo can develop during childhood and generally causes the same main skin changes seen in adults. Segmental vitiligo is more common in children than in adults, and it may affect one side or a particular area of the body.

Common symptoms of vitiligo in children include:

• Pale or white patches on the face, hands, feet, arms or other areas of the skin

• Loss of colour around the eyes, mouth or nose

• White or grey hair growing from affected areas

• White eyelashes or eyebrows when the nearby skin is affected

• Patches affecting one side or a specific area of the body, particularly in segmental vitiligo

• New patches appearing or existing patches becoming larger

A doctor should assess any new or changing areas of skin colour in a child to determine whether they are caused by vitiligo or another skin condition.

Can You Have Vitiligo Without Symptoms?

Vitiligo usually causes visible loss of skin pigment, so it is not typically considered a completely asymptomatic condition. However, early patches can be small, subtle or located in areas that are difficult to see, leading to a person not noticing them initially.

Some people may experience mild itching when new patches develop, although many people with vitiligo do not have pain or other discomfort. Because other skin conditions can also cause pale or white patches, unexplained changes in skin colour should be assessed by a doctor.

When Can Vitiligo Symptoms Become Life-Threatening?

Vitiligo itself is not considered a life-threatening condition. Loss of skin colour does not normally cause organ failure, shock, respiratory distress or loss of consciousness.

However, in some people, vitiligo may occur alongside another autoimmune condition. If severe symptoms develop because of an associated or unrelated medical condition, urgent medical care may be necessary. Such symptoms should not be considered typical symptoms of vitiligo.

How are Vitiligo Symptoms Diagnosed?

Symptoms alone cannot confirm vitiligo. A doctor usually examines the affected skin and reviews the person's medical history to determine whether the pigment loss is consistent with vitiligo or another skin condition.

The table below explains the main assessments used to evaluate symptoms of vitiligo and what each assessment helps determine:

There is no single blood test that confirms vitiligo. Diagnosis is mainly based on the appearance of the affected skin, medical history and, when needed, further clinical assessment.