Vitiligo: What to know about white patches on the skin
6/22/2026 by Raslina Shrestha, M.B.B.S., and Giang H. Nguyen, M.D., D.Phil.
World Vitiligo Day, observed annually on June 25, is a reminder that vitiligo is more than a change in skin color. It is a medical condition that can affect people of any age or skin tone. Knowing what to look for and when to talk with your primary care team can help get answers sooner.
Public figures like Michael Jackson helped bring vitiligo into public conversation, but misconceptions remain. Understanding what vitiligo is, what it is not and what treatments are available can help patients feel more informed and supported.
What is vitiligo?
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the cells responsible for skin color, called melanocytes. The result is patches of skin that lose their pigment and turn lighter or white.
It affects about 1% to 2% of people worldwide, which roughly is 70 million people of every age, race and background. It can be more visually striking in people with darker skin tones.
Common misconceptions about vitiligo
Because vitiligo is visible, it often is misunderstood. These important facts can help clear up misunderstandings:
- It is not contagious — you cannot catch it from another person.
- It is not caused by poor hygiene or something a person did wrong.
- Stress, sunburn or skin injury may trigger or worsen vitiligo in some people, but vitiligo is related to the immune system.
- It is not always progressive. Some patches stay in one area for years while others may spread slowly over time.
- It is not only cosmetic. Vitiligo is not life-threatening, but it can affect confidence, emotional well-being and quality of life. It also may be associated with other autoimmune conditions, such as thyroid disease.
What does it look like and when should you call your primary care professional?
Vitiligo doesn’t follow one pattern. Patches can appear anywhere: the face, hands, elbows, knees and even the inside of the mouth. They also may affect the hair, causing premature graying of the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes or beard.
Any area of skin, hair or the lining of the mouth that loses its color unexpectedly is worth discussing with your primary care professional — you do not need to wait for it to spread or worsen.
Before your appointment:
- Note when the color change started, whether it is spreading and whether anything seemed to trigger it.
- Bring photos if available, a medication list and the skin products or chemicals you use regularly.
- Mention any personal or family history of autoimmune conditions, including thyroid disease.
How is vitiligo diagnosed?
Your primary care professional can examine your skin, review your health history and help decide whether the changes look like vitiligo or another skin condition. They may refer you to a dermatologist — a physician specializing in skin conditions.
A dermatologist may use a special light called a Wood’s lamp to examine the skin. Blood tests do not diagnose vitiligo, but they may be used to check for related autoimmune conditions, such as thyroid disease, when appropriate. Rarely, a small skin biopsy, or skin sample, may be taken.
Can vitiligo be treated?
There is no cure for vitiligo, but treatment may help slow color loss or restore some color. Treatments include:
- Prescription creams, such as topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors, may help restore pigment in some areas.
- Light therapy, which uses controlled ultraviolet light to help some people regain color over time.
- Ruxolitinib cream, a newer option for some people ages 12 and older with nonsegmental vitiligo.
- Surgical treatment, which may be considered for stable vitiligo in selected cases.
- Everyday care, including broad-spectrum sunscreen, because skin affected by vitiligo can burn more easily. Cosmetic concealers and self-tanners also may help even skin tone for people who choose them.
Vitiligo is visible. And visibility, when it comes to something this personal, can be difficult to deal with mentally and emotionally. Research shows that many people with vitiligo experience anxiety, depression and social withdrawal, yet emotional health rarely comes up in a quick clinic visit. If changes in your skin are affecting how you feel about yourself or your daily life, tell your care team. Treatment and support are available.
Raslina Shrestha, M.B.B.S., is a Smith Gibson Fellow in the Department of Dermatology at Mayo Clinic.
Giang H. Nguyen, M.D., D.Phil., is a consultant dermatologist in the Department of Dermatology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.