Vitiligo is a skin condition in which there is a loss of brown color
(pigment) from areas of skin, resulting in irregular white patches that feel
like normal skin.
If your doctor suspects you have vitiligo, he or she will ask about your medical history, examine you and try to rule out other medical problems, such as dermatitis or psoriasis. He or she may use a special lamp to shine ultraviolet light onto the skin to determine whether you have vitiligo.
Your health care provider can usually examine your skin to confirm the diagnosis.
Sometimes, a health care provider may use a Wood's light. This is a handheld ultraviolet light that causes the areas of skin with less pigment to glow bright white.
In some cases, a skin biopsy may be needed to rule out other causes of pigment loss. Your doctor may also perform blood tests to check the levels of thyroid or other hormones, and vitamin B12.
In addition to gathering your personal and family medical history and examining your skin, your doctor may:
Take a small sample (biopsy) of the affected skin
Draw blood for lab tests
If your doctor suspects you have vitiligo, he or she will ask about your medical history, examine you and try to rule out other medical problems, such as dermatitis or psoriasis. He or she may use a special lamp to shine ultraviolet light onto the skin to determine whether you have vitiligo.
Your health care provider can usually examine your skin to confirm the diagnosis.
Sometimes, a health care provider may use a Wood's light. This is a handheld ultraviolet light that causes the areas of skin with less pigment to glow bright white.
In some cases, a skin biopsy may be needed to rule out other causes of pigment loss. Your doctor may also perform blood tests to check the levels of thyroid or other hormones, and vitamin B12.
In addition to gathering your personal and family medical history and examining your skin, your doctor may:
Take a small sample (biopsy) of the affected skin
Draw blood for lab tests
