What happens if vitiligo is left untreated?

Author: Dr. Delaney Lueilwitz V  |  Last update: Saturday, October 18, 2025

It's difficult to predict how this disease will progress. Sometimes the patches stop forming without treatment. In most cases, pigment loss spreads and eventually involves most of the skin. Occasionally, the skin gets its color back.

What if I don't treat vitiligo?

Although there is no cure for vitiligo, there are treatments to help stop disease progression, restore skin color, and prevent new patches. For most people, the whitened skin patches last and grow larger if vitiligo is not treated.

What are the dangers of vitiligo?

Complications of vitiligo are social stigmatization and mental stress, eye involvement like iritis, depigmented skin is more prone to sunburn, skin cancer, and hearing loss because of loss of cochlear melanocytes. Other complications are related to medications like skin atrophy after prolonged use of topical steroids.

What triggers vitiligo to spread?

Vitiligo may flare or spread due to: Stress. Sunburn, cuts, or other skin damage. Chemical exposure.

How many years does vitiligo take to spread all over the body?

About 10% to 20% of people who have vitiligo fully regain their skin color. This is most common among people who: Receive an early diagnosis before age 20. Experience the peak of the condition spreading within six months or less.

What Happens If Vitiligo is Left Untreated?

What is the root cause of vitiligo?

Vitiligo occurs when immune cells destroy the cells that make brown pigment (melanocytes). This destruction is thought to be due to an autoimmune problem. An autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system, which normally protects the body from infection, attacks and destroys healthy body tissue instead.

What is the life expectancy of someone with vitiligo?

What is the life expectancy with vitiligo? It's important to clarify a common misconception: vitiligo does not affect life expectancy. Vitiligo is primarily a cosmetic condition, characterized by the loss of skin pigment.

How to reverse vitiligo naturally?

A 2018 review suggests various natural remedies, including ginkgo biloba, green tea, and aloe vera, may improve vitiligo symptoms. However, more research is necessary to determine their safety and effectiveness. People should speak with a doctor before trying natural remedies to ensure they are safe.

Do and don'ts for vitiligo?

Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or sweating. You can also seek shade and wear clothing that shields your skin from the sun. Don't use tanning beds and sunlamps.

What should I avoid if I have vitiligo?

3. Avoid inflammatory foods for vitiligo.
  • Processed meats.
  • Sugary drinks.
  • Trans fats, found in fried foods.
  • White bread.
  • White pasta.
  • Gluten.
  • Soybean oil and vegetable oil.
  • Processed snack foods, such as chips and crackers.

What can be mistaken for vitiligo?

Here's a look at seven other skin conditions that are sometimes mistaken for vitiligo and how they differ from it.
  • Albinism. Masego Morulane/Getty Images; Canva. ...
  • Hansen's Disease (Leprosy) Adobe Stock. ...
  • Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis (IGH) iStock. ...
  • Melasma. Duangjan J/Shutterstock. ...
  • Pityriasis Alba. ...
  • Scleroderma. ...
  • Tinea Versicolor.

Does Michael Jackson have vitiligo?

It was also confirmed by the analysis of Michael Jackson's autopsy that he suffered from skin pigmentation disorder vitiligo because his skin turned white on his chest, face, arms and abdomen. The lips of the 'They Don't Care About Us' singer was found to be tattooed pink and his eyebrows were tattooed black.

Can vitamin D reverse vitiligo?

Conclusions. Based on our findings, vitamin D levels were significantly low in patients with vitiligo in comparison with controls; however, we did not observe any significant effect of vitamin D on the occurrence and extension of vitiligo lesions.

Should I worry if I have vitiligo?

Vitiligo occurs when cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning. Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, but it may be more noticeable in people with brown or Black skin. The condition is not life-threatening or contagious. It can be stressful or make you feel bad about yourself.

How much does vitiligo surgery cost?

The cost of vitiligo treatment varies based on the severity of the condition, the treatment method, and the duration of care. Topical Treatments: ₹1,500–₹3,000 per month. Phototherapy: ₹3,000–₹5,000 per session. Excimer Laser: ₹4,000–₹7,000 per session.

Which drink is good for vitiligo?

Wheatgrass Juice: Perfect for those with vitiligo and weak immunity. If you get sick easily when the weather changes, this juice is for you. Bottle Gourd Juice: Fresh and small bottle gourds are very helpful for white spots.

Can B12 reverse vitiligo?

Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid

This is why it is always recommended to take these two vitamins together in order to treat vitiligo. According to some scientific studies, a combination of vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation and sun exposure is a good strategy to regain natural skin color.

What is the best vitamin to cure vitiligo?

Vitamin B12 has been shown to be useful for repigmentation in patients suffering from vitiligo. Folic acid (or vitamin B9) has been proven to be significant for treating vitiligo. It needs to be included in the diet as the body cannot synthesize it.

At what age does vitiligo peak?

Typically, there are two peaks of onset, early (<10 years) or late (around 30 years). 41% of segmental vitiligo cases start before the age of 10. 50% of non-segmental vitiligo cases start before the age of 20. 80% of all cases present before the age of 30.

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 ...

Do people with vitiligo eventually turn all white?

It can also sometimes develop where there are hair roots, such as on your scalp. The lack of melanin in your skin can turn the hair in the affected area white or grey. 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.

What can worsen vitiligo?

Sometimes an event – such as a sunburn, emotional distress, or exposure to a chemical – can trigger vitiligo or make it worse.

What organ causes vitiligo?

If you have vitiligo, your immune system attacks cells in your body called melanocytes. These are cells that make pigment. Depending on where in your body the immune system destroys these pigment-making cells, you will have: Lighter patches and spots on your skin.

Is vitiligo a disability?

Currently, the vitiligo disability is rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7823, the criteria for rating vitiligo. Under these criteria, the maximum 10 percent rating is to be assigned for vitiligo affecting exposed areas. 38 C.F.R.

Previous article
What is the coolest material to wear in the sun?
Next article
Which is better for PCOS, Wegovy or Ozempic?