Foods to Avoid If You Have White Patches (Vitiligo):

White spots on the skin, often seen on the face or body, are medically known as vitiligo. It is a skin condition caused by the loss of pigmentation due to the destruction of melanocytes—cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. In cases where vitiligo affects hair-growing areas, the hair may also turn white.

How Vitiligo Develops and Spreads

Vitiligo often starts as small white patches on the hands, arms, legs, or face. These patches can grow or remain stable for years. The disorder may also affect mucous membranes such as the inside of the mouth or nose, as well as the eyes and ears. In some people, the patches shift or change location over time, depending on the extent of pigment loss and recovery.

List of Foods to Avoid If You Have Vitiligo

While no medically-approved diet exists for vitiligo, certain foods are believed to aggravate symptoms or interfere with pigmentation due to specific compounds they contain. Some patients have reported negative reactions to these foods:

Alcohol

Blueberries

Citrus fruits (like oranges and lemons)

Coffee

Curd (yogurt)

Fish

Packaged fruit juices

Amla (Indian gooseberry)

Grapes

Pickles

Pomegranate

Pears

Red meat

Tomatoes

Wheat-based products

Sour and fermented items

Why Diet Matters for Vitiligo

Some of the listed items may contain natural hydroquinone or related compounds that reduce melanin production. Although dietary responses can vary between individuals, it's often recommended for people with vitiligo to avoid these foods as a preventive measure or to support treatment.