Question
Vitiligo and tinea versicolor are both hypomelanocytic dermatologic afflications. What are some ways to differentiate these two conditions?
Answer
- Location
- Tinea versicolor – trunk and proximal extremities
- Vitiligo – can occur anywhere, but most common on hands and face
- Color
- Tinea versicolor – hypopigmented, more prominent with sun exposure
- Vitiligo – milk or chalk-white, no change with sun exposure
- Wood’s lamp
- Tinea versicolor – fluoresce yellow/green
- Vitiligo – fluoresce blue/white
