What is the first stage of vitiligo?

Author: Dr. Randall Schuster DVM  |  Last update: Friday, October 10, 2025

Vitiligo signs include: Patchy loss of skin color, which usually first appears on the hands, face, and areas around body openings and the genitals.

What does pre vitiligo look like?

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.

Can vitiligo stop at early stage?

Although there is no cure for vitiligo, treatments can be very effective at stopping the progression and reversing its effects, which may help skin tone appear more even.

How quickly does vitiligo progress?

Typically, segmental vitiligo will spread quite quickly from the onset but slow down around a year after it first appears. Segmental vitiligo is not usually associated with autoimmune issues. The second type is non-segmental vitiligo, which is autoimmune.

What triggers vitiligo to spread?

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

Vitiligo, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

What stops vitiligo from spreading?

Topical steroids come as a cream or ointment you apply to your skin. They can sometimes stop the spread of the white patches and may restore some of your original skin colour. A topical steroid may be prescribed to adults if: you have non-segmental vitiligo on less than 10% of your body.

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.

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.

Can you stop vitiligo if you catch it early?

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.

Who is most likely to get vitiligo?

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. Treatment for vitiligo may restore color to the affected skin.

Do and don'ts for vitiligo?

The light patches of vitiligo sunburn easily

Sun protection can prevent a bad sunburn, which can worsen vitiligo. Never use a tanning bed or sun lamp. These are not safe alternatives to the sun. These, too, can burn skin that has lost pigment and worsen vitiligo.

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.

Where does vitiligo usually start?

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.

How do you confirm it is 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.

What is the timeline for vitiligo?

It spreads very quickly, faster than the other forms, but only for about 6 months (sometimes up to a year). It's such a rapid pace that patients assume it will soon cover their entire body, but it stops abruptly and usually remains stable, without changing, forever after that.

Did Michael really 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.

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.

Can vitiligo go away on its own?

There is no "cure" for vitiligo. Sometimes patches go away on their own. But when that doesn't happen, doctors can prescribe treatments that might help even out skin tone.

What can be mistaken as vitiligo?

Thermal burns, inflammatory skin disorders like psoriasis, or bacterial infections like leprosy may cause a reversible loss of skin color. Genetically determined diseases like piebaldism can also create distinctive patterns of milky white skin and hair, which can be mistaken for vitiligo.

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.

How can I reverse vitiligo naturally?

To increase melanin for vitiligo, consume foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals like leafy greens, berries, and nuts. Additionally, consider medications, light therapy and consult with a dermatologist for specific treatments.

What are the markers of vitiligo?

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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