I went to a dermatologist for something else, showed them the small white spot under my arm, she said you have Vitiligo, put this ointment on. It may help, but it will be slow. That was it - Nothing else! I am one of 6 kids and I am the only one that has it, also to my knowledge no cousins,aunts, uncles, grandparents or anyone else has vitiligo. I have gone through some very deep, long term stress in my life which I figured had triggered it. About ten years later developed over active thyroid issues.

I went to a dermatologist

Hello Kim6! A physical examination to diagnose vitiligo starts in your doctor's or dermatologist's office. First, they will ask you about your symptoms and take your medical history. Next, they will do a physical exam of your skin.

Medical and Family History
Here are some of the things that your doctor will likely ask you about:

1) Symptom history: You will be asked when it was that you first noticed the potential vitiligo patches on your skin, if the patches have grown, and if they have spread to different areas. Depending on your age, you might also be asked if your hair turned gray before age 35.
2) Family history of vitiligo: Vitiligo has a genetic component for some people. Experts estimate that roughly 20% of people with vitiligo have a close family member with the condition. Family history of autoimmune disease: Vitiligo is linked to autoimmune conditions. Your doctor may ask if members of your family have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus, or thyroid disease.
3) Previous skin issues: Such as having a severe sunburn, rash, or other trauma (like rubbing, friction, or intense scratching) in the areas where the white or light patches have appeared.
4) Stress levels: Physically, mentally, and emotionally stressful situations—whether current or in the recent past—can contribute to vitiligo development.

Physical Exam
After the medical and symptom history portion of the appointment, your doctor will look at your skin. It will be a more thorough examination than the skin checks you may have done at home.

Your doctor will observe all areas of your skin closely and note where the depigmentation patches occur, whether they're symmetrical or random, and whether they're on primarily sun-exposed areas.

Some clinicians use a special light known as a Wood's lamp to check if the white or light patches are vitiligo. A Wood's lamp uses ultraviolet light in a dark room to illuminate areas of the skin. Vitiligo patches turn fluorescent under the lamp's light.

Labs and Tests
If doctors need more information before making a diagnosis, they may want to do a skin biopsy or blood tests to check for any underlying autoimmune disease or other skin conditions.

Skin Biopsy
A skin biopsy involves removing a small portion of the affected skin tissue to check whether there are pigment cells (melanocytes) in the skin. The skin sample will be evaluated under a microscope in the lab. If it shows that there are no pigment cells present, a diagnosis of vitiligo will likely be confirmed.

Very rarely, a form of skin cancer called hypopigmented cutaneous T-cell lymphoma may cause white patches that look similar to vitiligo patches. The discoloration happens because of malfunctioning pigment cells. A skin biopsy can rule out this possibility.

*Information came from this website https://www.verywellhealth.com/

Can a Rheumatologist help address vitiligo? I have no ANA markers.

Hi Kim,
Mine started 40+ years ago and most of mine is in my bikini areas where I use to tan with a black bikini, I wear dark eye shadow, and in my hair which is darker. Once I stopped going in the sun, it stopped spreading. I also pride myself in not getting sick, ever! However, with the onset of a 4th new auto immune condition I have started going to a Rheumatologist to help and maybe figure this all out. You might want to add that to your medical team! He put me on Hydroxychloroquine to suppress my immune system which has stopped some of the symptoms I have with the other conditions so I'm feeling better. ...It's a journey for sure!