Is It Vitiligo?
Not necessarily.
Vitiligo is another condition that can cause lighter patches, but it is different from pityriasis versicolor.
Because several skin conditions can produce similar-looking changes, trying to diagnose yourself based only on the color of a patch can be misleading. The NHS specifically recommends professional assessment when you’re concerned about unexplained changes in skin color.
A dermatologist can usually recognize pityriasis versicolor from its appearance. If the diagnosis is uncertain, additional examination, such as examining skin scrapings under a microscope or using a Wood’s lamp, may be used.
