In brief
Key points
- ✓Smooth depigmented skin
- ✓Often clear borders
- ✓Hair may turn white
- ✓Usually no scaling
Typical appearance
Patches may occur around the eyes and mouth, on hands, feet, elbows, knees, genital areas or wherever friction is repeated. They may be symmetrical or one-sided depending on the form.
Symptoms that need another explanation
Scaling, persistent itching, pain, crusts or oozing are not typical of stable vitiligo and warrant assessment for an additional or different skin condition.
Editorial basis: current AWMF S2k guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of vitiligo, register 013-093, version 2.0 dated 27 July 2026. Reviewed on 2 September 2026.
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