Condition guide

Vitiligo

Also known as Safed daag, Leucoderma, White patches.

Cut aloe vera leaf, a bowl of oat cream, oat grains and chamomile flowers on sage linen

In short

Vitiligo is a condition in which the immune system affects the pigment cells of the skin, causing milky white patches. It is not contagious, it is not caused by food combinations such as fish and milk, and it is not related to leprosy. Treatment can often stop it spreading and bring colour back, especially when started early, and a dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis because other conditions can also cause light patches.

Typical signs

Milky white, well-defined patches on the skin
Patches around the mouth, eyes, fingers, wrists or genitals
White hair in a patch of the scalp, eyebrows or beard
Patches that are not itchy or scaly

When to see a dermatologist

You notice any new white or light patch, so the cause can be confirmed
Patches are spreading
A child has white patches
Vitiligo is affecting your confidence or mood

Signs vary from person to person and several skin conditions look alike. Only an examination can confirm a diagnosis.

Terms to know

Vitiligo: A condition in which the skin loses its pigment cells, causing white patches. It is not contagious.
Hypopigmentation: Areas of skin that are lighter than the surrounding skin because of reduced melanin.
Melanocyte: A cell in the base of the epidermis that makes melanin.
Melanin: The pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their colour and helps protect skin from UV damage.
Wood's lamp: A handheld ultraviolet lamp used in the clinic to examine the skin. It helps assess pigment changes, vitiligo and some infections.
Phototherapy: Treatment with controlled doses of ultraviolet light, such as narrowband UVB, used for conditions like vitiligo, psoriasis and eczema.

Full glossary

3D Skin ExplorerSee where it starts: the melanocytesOpen the interactive model Research libraryGuidelines and studies on vitiligo6 entries

Read the guides

Full, referenced articles on vitiligo written for Indian skin, with answers to common questions.

Skin Conditions8 min read

Vitiligo: Causes, Treatment and Common Myths in India

Vitiligo is an autoimmune loss of skin pigment. It is not contagious and not caused by eating fish with milk. Treatment can restore colour in many people.

Updated 26 October 2026

Pigmentation7 min read

White Patches on Face: Pityriasis Alba, Versicolor or Vitiligo?

Most white patches on the face in India are pityriasis alba or tinea versicolor, not vitiligo. Here is how they differ, what helps, and when to get checked.

Updated 26 October 2026

Worried about vitiligo?

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This page is a short summary for general education and does not replace a consultation with a qualified dermatologist. Do not start, stop or change any medicine based on this page. Read the full medical disclaimer.