Characteristics of vitiligo

Vitiligo is generally easy to recognize, making it easy for doctors to diagnose it. Additional research is almost never necessary.

• Vitiligo is characterized by white spots.
• The spots vary in shape and size.
• Vitiligo can spread gradually.
• The edge of the spots is often darker than the pigmented skin.
• Vitiligo occurs on the face, hands and feet, on pressure points (such as knees and elbows), around body openings (such as eyes and mouth), in body folds, near genitals and in places of repeated injury (for example where a wound has seated).
• Vitiligo also occurs on the hairy skin. In these places the hair may be white.
• Vitiligo also occurs around moles. A birthmark with a white spot around it is called a halo nevus.

Different forms of vitiligo

• Vitiligo vulgaris (symmetrical)
  Patients with this form of vitiligo develop spots all over the body. The spots occur symmetrically on both sides of the body. This is the most common form of vitiligo.
• Vitiligo segmentalis (single-sided)
  Patients with this form of vitiligo have spots on one segment of the body. For example, on one half of the face or on one of the two shoulders. The spots may become a bit larger, but at some point that process stops. Also, the vitiligo will not spread to other segments.
• Vitiligo universalis
  Patients with this form of vitiligo have hardly any (less than 10%) pigmented skin.
• Acral vitiligo
  This form of vitiligo occurs on the extremities of the body and on the arms and legs. Particularly on the fingers and toes.
• Acrofacial vitiligo
  Patients with this form of vitiligo have spots on the extremities of the body, on the arms and legs and on the face (around the eyes and mouth).