diagnosis
Last reviewed 01/2018
A detailed history of the patient must be obtained which should include:
- family history of vitiligo:
- premature hair graying
- family or personal history of autoimmune disease (thyroid, alopecia areata, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis)
- previous episodes of repigmentation
- trauma previous to the skin changes (1)
A Wood's lamp can used to identify areas of depigmentation which is not visible to the naked eye (2). It is less helpful in patients with darker skin types (1)
A blood test should be performed annually to check thyroid function tests because of an increased risk of autoimmune thyroid disease (1)
Atypical cases of vitiligo should be referred to a dermatologist (2).
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