What are the symptoms of 1st stage vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a condition in which the skin loses its natural pigmentation in patches or spots. The symptoms of vitiligo vary from person to person and depend on how extensive the depigmentation is.

The most common symptom of 1st stage vitiligo is an initial appearance of pale-white patches (or “macules”) on the skin that are usually fully depigmented and symmetrically distributed, although sometimes they may only be partially affected by loss of melanin. These areas can show up anywhere on the body but commonly appear first near pressure points such as elbows, wrists, knees, face, genitals and around hair follicles. In some cases these patches are accompanied by intense itching or burning sensations, although this isn’t always present. The borders of these macules tend to have normal pigment surrounded by depigmented skin and remain consistent over time without spreading to other areas quickly - otherwise known as stable vitiligo.

Over time some people with 1st stage vitiligo may experience heightened sensitivity to sunburn in their white patches of skin (known as photophobia), wrinkles forming early in those particular spots due to a lack of support from collagen fibers sans melanin cells, premature graying or loss of coloration/texture in hair growth located within said areas – especially eyelashes & scalp hairs; plus a general feeling having discoloration affect self image/esteem because it often causes visible cosmetic changes that cannot be easily concealed with clothing or makeup products like other forms/symptoms associated with this chronic autoimmune disorder do occasionally do if so desired by patient(s).