How To Tell If It’s Vitiligo or Something Else?

Vitiligo is identified as an autoimmune disorder. It is a skin condition that causes areas of the skin to lose colour or pigmentation. It is not found to be contagious and can occur in any part of your body. If you notice light or white skin patches on your body, chances are high that it might be a vitiligo condition. 

You can end your research at Dr. Nivedita Dadu if you are searching for the Best Vitiligo Specialist in Delhi to consult for your health condition. Also, we have come up with this article after conversing with her on vitiligo, its symptoms, and on what basis it is different from other similar skin conditions. Let’s start by getting an overview of vitiligo first!

What Do You Understand By Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a skin condition that usually occurs when the melanocyte cells responsible for your skin colour are destroyed. When these melanocytes do not produce skin pigmentation or melanin, areas of your skin lose colour or turn white. Areas of lost pigment and white skin patches can develop anywhere on your body, such as: 

• Genitals 
• Nostrils 
• Back of the eye
• Inside the mouth or other mucus membranes 
• Sun-exposed areas such as feet, arms, hands, and face 
• Within the hearing system of the ear 

Besides those mentioned above, if the areas involved have hair, it may turn them grey or white.

Symptoms 

Common symptoms of vitiligo may include: 

• Patchy loss of skin colour, which generally appears on the face, hands, and areas around body openings and the genitals 
• Premature whitening or greying of the hair on your scalp, eyelashes, beard, or eyebrows 
• Loss of color in the tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose 
• Eye color changes 
• Hearing loss
• Itchy skin 

Vitiligo can start at any age but generally affects people before 30. There can be various types of vitiligo; depending on the type you have, it may involve: 

• Many Parts of the Body: It is termed generalized vitiligo; discoloured patches symmetrically progress on corresponding body parts. 
• Only One Side or Part of the Body: This is identified as segmental vitiligo. It mostly occurs at a younger age, progresses for a year or two, and then stops. 
• One of only a Few Areas of the Body: This type is called localized vitiligo. 
• Nearly all Skin Surfaces: This discolouration affects almost all skin surfaces. 
• The Face and Hands: This vitiligo affects the skin on the face and hands and around body openings, such as the eyes, nose, and ears. 

Causes of Vitiligo 

Vitiligo is caused when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) die or stop producing melanin (which gives your skin, hair, and eyes colour). The involved patches of skin become lighter or white. It is unclear exactly what causes these pigment cells to fail or die. Still, the causes of vitiligo may be related to: 

• Family history 
• Autoimmune condition 
• A trigger event, such as stress, severe sunburn, or skin trauma (contact with a chemical)

How Is Vitiligo Diagnosed?

At your appointment with a dermatologist, your doctor may ask about the following: 

• The History of the Patches: Your doctor may ask when they first appeared. Are they spreading or staying in one area?
• Your Health History: Your doctor will ask about your health history and whether you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. 
• Family History of Vitiligo: Vitiligo is known to run in families. About 20% of people with vitiligo have close relatives with the same issue.
• Any Recent Stressful Event: Your doctor may also ask about the current events that might have stressed you out physically or emotionally, like sudden changes in life or severe sunburns.  

What Common Skin Conditions Are Often Confused With Vitiligo?

Determining if you are dealing with vitiligo or any other skin condition is important. Here’s a look at these conditions commonly mistaken for vitiligo and how they differ from it.

• Albinism: Albinism is identified as a lifelong skin condition causing your skin to produce few or no melanin pigments. Due to this, you get very, very pale skin, along with white to light-blond or brown hair. This reduced melanin can also affect your eyes and cause light sensitivity, blurry vision, or poor eyesight. This disease is visible through birth, affects your entire skin surface, and does not worsen over time. 
• Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy): It is a disease-causing flat, faded, and discoloured patches of skin. It can also cause numbness in the affected patches of the skin. 
• Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis (IGH): If you notice lighter spots on areas of your body that are exposed to your skin, you may have IGH. These spots are typically formed on sun-exposed limbs, especially in the forearms, shins, and chest. These spots can grow larger and more furious with age. These tend to be more noticeable on darker skin tones.
  
• Melasma: Melasma causes spots on your face that are usually darker than your natural skin tone. This condition is generally visible in the face but can also cause damage to your forearms and neck. Melasma gets triggered by oral contraceptives, hormonal changes, sun exposure, and steroid treatments. 
• Pityriasis Alba: Pityriasis alba is a common skin condition leading to lighter skin patches. But unlike Vitiligo marks. It causes light-coloured skin patches that start red and scaly. These spots are often seen on the face, neck, upper arms, and torso. 
• Scleroderma: Scleroderma causes hardening and tightness of the skin, making your skin appear lighter, darker, or even shiny. The effects of scleroderma can extend beyond your skin into blood vessels and connective tissues, causing damage to your internal organs and digestive tract. The signs of scleroderma may include swelling, small red spots, soreness, irritation, or Raynaud’s phenomenon. 
• Tinea Versicolour: It is a common skin condition causing patches of discoloured skin. These patches are dry and scaly with sharp borders and are lighter or darker than the surrounding skin. But it is not an autoimmune disease like Vitiligo. Instead, it is a result of a fungal infection. The infection can cause small white, yellow, red, or brown spots that commonly occur on your chest, shoulders, or back. 

Methods To Treat Vitiligo Skin Condition 

Depending on the size, number of white skin patches, and location, a personalized treatment can be planned. Methods that are opted to treat Vitiligo skin conditions are:

1. Medical management 
2. Adjunctive therapies 

• • PUVA light therapy
  • NBUVB light therapy
  • Excimer laser

3.   Surgical Management 

Talk To A Dermatologist! 

If you notice signs of vitiligo and want to get rid of it, it is better to consult a dermatologist immediately and take a preventive step against it. 

You can consult Dr. Nivedita Dadu at Dadu Medical Centre. She has over 19 years of experience and successfully treats thousands of skin patients. She is renowned as the Best Skin Doctor in Delhi. To book your appointment, visit Dadu Medical Centre at Vasant Vihar (South Delhi) and Rajouri Garden (West Delhi) today!