Managing Common Vitiligo Triggers
Not everyone with vitiligo is susceptible to the same triggers, but there are several common ones.
Skin Trauma
To minimize your risk of an injury that might trigger a vitiligo flare, Dr. Marmon recommends handling your skin with care. Don’t scrub too hard in the tub or shower; try not to scratch itchy areas; and, if you scrape an elbow or cut yourself while shaving, tend to these minor wounds right away to prevent infection and help them heal.
Sun Exposure
Sunburn, which is another type of skin injury, can also trigger a vitiligo flare that enlarges or leads to new vitiligo patches. Doctors advise people with vitiligo to steer clear of ultraviolet rays as much as possible and take the same precautions everyone should out in the sun: Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and cover as much skin as possible with a hat, sunglasses, and clothing. And keep in mind that already-depigmented skin is particularly susceptible to sunburn.
Chemicals
Certain components of hair dye, bleaching agents, cosmetics, skin-care products, and household cleaners can set off a vitiligo flare. Marmon advises choosing products labeled hypoallergenic that are free of harsh chemicals, fragrances, and irritants. Test any new product you want to try on a small area of unaffected skin before using it on large swaths.
Stress (Including Emotional Distress)
Psychological factors, such as stress, low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression — which, research shows, affect about 40 percent of people living with vitiligo — can play a role in how often vitiligo flares occur and how severe they are.
Hormonal Changes
Fluctuations in hormones, such as during pregnancy and menopause, as well as exposure to birth control pills or hormone supplementation, have been associated with triggering vitiligo flares. One research review found that vitiligo got worse for approximately 18 percent of pregnant women and 28 percent of new moms.
In the case of women still in the postpartum period, researchers believe the loss of the immunosuppression that pregnancy causes may play a role in their vitiligo flares. But in many cases, what brings on new or larger vitiligo patches is something that can be identified and avoided, or have its impact lessened.
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