Why do I get itchy vitiligo patches that become bigger when I scratch?

Doctor's Answers 2

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Dr Christopher Lim

General Practitioner

Hello, thanks for the question.

To begin with, the underlying causes for vitiligo are poorly understood though there are several triggers which have been associated with development of the condition. These triggers can range from emotional stress/trauma, exposure to certain industrial chemicals or even physical trauma (e.g sunburn, or in your case, cuts or scratches).

This appearance of vitiligo along areas of trauma is something described as Koebner's phenomenon. Certain skin conditions (including vitiligo) have been found to form on skin along lines of irritation or trauma. Like the image below shows, sometimes "trauma" can be from everyday activities such as friction from clothing.

Vitiligo Koebners

Based on what you have mentioned, your skin condition may be triggered by physical trauma and it is important to note that further scratching may aggravate it.

While vitiligo is not typically associated with itch, depending on which study you reference, as many as 20% of patients may complain of itching.

If you are concerned about the appearance of new areas of depigmentation, I would recommend seeking out a doctor you are comfortable with for a review and confirmation of your condition as well as for further advice. Hope this helped!

Best Regards

Dr Chris Lim

Hello and thank you for your question. Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that is due to a patient’s own immune system attacking their own pigment producing cells, resulting in white patches forming. Vitiligo is usually asymptomatic but can sometimes by itchy. Also it exhibits an interesting phenomenon called “Koebner’s phenomenon” where scratching or injuring neighbouring normal skin can lead to vitiligo patches appearing in them. Do see a Dermatologist for help with treatment of your vitiligo patches. Topical creams, light therapy or even cellular grafting can be helpful.

Best regards

Dr Stephanie Ho, Dermatologist

Similar Questions

Is there a cure for vitiligo in Singapore?

Hello, This is perhaps the most common question which I face on a regular basis. Strictly speaking, there is no cure for vitiligo at the moment. This is because there is a non-zero chance of recurrence of the condition which persists in spite of treatment which is difficult to predict. There are, however, viable treatment options available to patients. Depending on the extent of vitiligo and the areas affected, patients can achieve reasonable degrees of repigmentation over time. The main keys to achieving results are a combination of adherence to therapy and patience.

Photo of Dr Christopher Lim

Answered By

Dr Christopher Lim

General Practitioner

Do any foods cause vitiligo?

Hello, This is a commonly asked question I face from many of my patients, and the answer is always the same. No, there are no foods that have been found to cause vitiligo. Within the Southeast Asian region, it is a common belief that diet plays a role in the development of the condition. However, the truth is that to date, there is a lack of sufficient evidence to prove that there are any foods linked with the development of vitiligo. I hope that this answers the question.

Photo of Dr Christopher Lim

Answered By

Dr Christopher Lim

General Practitioner

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