Is a blue light examination used to check for vitiligo?

Whether blue light examination is used to check for vitiligo depends on the diagnostic requirements. Blue light examination is commonly used for initial screening or auxiliary diagnosis, but confirmation requires additional tests and cannot rely solely on blue light examination.

Blue light examination is a common preliminary method for detecting vitiligo. Under blue light illumination, vitiligo lesions emit a bright bluish-white fluorescence, creating a clear contrast with surrounding normal skin. This allows rapid identification of early or hidden white patches, providing important diagnostic clues. However, blue light examination alone cannot definitively diagnose vitiligo and must be combined with other assessments such as dermoscopy and histopathological examination. Some other hypopigmented skin conditions may show similar appearances under blue light; therefore, comprehensive evaluation using multiple methods is essential to differentiate these conditions and prevent misdiagnosis.

In daily life, it's important to protect the skin and avoid triggering factors such as excessive sun exposure and trauma. Wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing can reduce skin friction. Maintaining regular sleep patterns, a balanced diet, and enhancing the skin’s self-repair capacity can help stabilize the condition.