Not every white patch is vitiligo

A pale or white area describes an appearance, not a diagnosis. Surface texture, onset, distribution and Wood’s light findings help identify the cause.

IDEALDERM GmbH · Faiza LemoineEvidence-based guidanceSources reviewed: 2 September 2026

In het kort

Belangrijkste punten

✓Several possible causes
✓Scaling can be informative
✓History matters
✓Examination prevents wrong treatment

Common alternatives

Pityriasis versicolor
Pityriasis alba
Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation
Nevus depigmentosus
Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis

Seek assessment

A new, growing, symptomatic or unexplained patch should be examined rather than treated repeatedly by trial and error.

Redactionele basis

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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Meer weten

Specialistische onderwerpen in deze rubriek

Wood’s lamp Progression Blood tests Pityriasis versicolor Pityriasis alba Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation Nevus depigmentosus Guttate hypomelanosis

Verder lezen

Basics

Not every white patch is vitiligo

Belangrijkste punten

Common alternatives

Seek assessment

Specialistische onderwerpen in deze rubriek

Verder lezen

Understand vitiligo

Assess white patches

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