Vitiligo causes white patches because pigment cells are affected. It is not contagious. Patients often worry about spread and social visibility, so the first step is confirming vitiligo and checking whether it is active or stable.
Vitiligo may appear as:
Treatment depends on site and activity. Some areas respond better than others. Medicines may help repigmentation and control spread — with referral where phototherapy is appropriate — but results take time and cannot be guaranteed. Stable patches may have different options than actively spreading disease.
Not every light patch is vitiligo; examination prevents wrong treatment.
New or spreading patches are managed differently from stable patches.
Face often responds better than hands/feet; white hair over patches can be slower.
Repigmentation is gradual and needs follow-up.
