A visual guide to 6 conditions that cause skin discoloration

Vitiligo is not the only disease that causes skin to change color.

Here are a few conditions and what they look like, including vitiligo.

Is it Vitiligo or something else?
	Vitiligo An autoimmune disease that causes your skin to lose color, often resulting in white patches on your skin that cover both sides of your body.
	Pityriasis alba A common skin disorder that causes areas of light-colored skin. Spots often start as slightly red, scaly patches on face, upper arms, neck, and upper middle section of body.
	Tinea versicolor Caused by fungal infection; leads to patches of discolored skin with fine, dry, scaly surface.
	Hansen’s disease (leprosy) A bacterial infection that can also cause discolored patches of skin. Usually these patches are flat, look faded, and may even feel numb.
	Scleroderma A rare but serious autoimmune disease that causes parts of the skin to harden. Often those areas can appear shiny. It can also create problems with connective tissue beneath the skin, harming blood vessels and internal organs.
	Addison disease When the body doesn’t produce enough cortisol, a hormone that regulates stress. One symptom: darkening of the skin in places like scars, skin folds, elbows, knees, and knuckles.

Talk to your health care provider if you think you might have vitiligo or another skin condition.