If your dermatologist suspects that you have vitiligo, your dermatologist will:

• Review your medical history, and may ask specific questions, such as whether anyone in your family has vitiligo
• Perform a physical exam, looking carefully at the affected skin

You also may need a blood test to check the health of your thyroid gland. People who have vitiligo often have thyroid disease. A blood test will tell whether your thyroid is healthy. If you have thyroid disease, treatment can successfully control it.

If you have vitiligo and want to treat it, you should discuss treatment options with a dermatologist. There are many treatment options. The goal of most treatments is to restore lost skin color.

Here are some key facts about treatment options to help you start a conversation with a dermatologist. The type of treatment that is best for you will depend on your preference, overall health, age, and where the vitiligo appears on your body. Some people choose not to treat vitiligo.