Explicado con claridadOrientación basada en fuentes

Terminology

Vitiligo and the term ‘white spot disease’

‘White spot disease’ is a descriptive everyday term for vitiligo. It does not replace a diagnosis because several skin conditions can create pale areas.

En resumen

Puntos clave

  • Everyday term for vitiligo
  • Not every white patch is vitiligo
  • No contagion
  • Diagnosis remains clinical
01

What the term describes

The name refers to the clearly depigmented patches caused by loss of functioning melanocytes. It says nothing about activity, form or cause.

02

Avoid self-diagnosis

Fungal conditions, inflammation, birthmarks and other pigment disorders can look similar. New or changing patches should be assessed dermatologically.

Base editorial

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.

Las fuentes se citan en el texto; los enlaces comerciales solo llevan a páginas IDEALDERM aprobadas.