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What is vitiligo?

vitiligoVitiligo is a condition in which areas of skin lose their normal pigment and so become white. It is common, and affects about 1% of the world’s population. It can start at any age, but in about half it does so before 20 years of age. Its course is unpredictable, but it tends to progress slowly, with periods of stability often lasting several years. The pigment may return in some patients, but this cannot be guaranteed, and seldom does so completely.

What causes vitiligo?

The pigment that gives your skin its normal colour is melanin, which is made by cells known as melanocytes. In patches of vitiligo the melanocytes are absent, and the reason for this is not fully understood.

However, vitiligo is considered to be an ‘autoimmune’ condition in which the body’s own immune system rejects some of its own tissues (melanocytes in the case of vitiligo). Consistent with this, thyroid disease and other autoimmune conditions are more common in individuals with vitiligo.

It affects men and women of all races equally, but is most obvious in people with dark skins. It is not infectious. There is no medical evidence of any link between diet and vitiligo.

Is vitiligo hereditary?

Yes, vitiligo has a genetic basis, although only about a fifth of those with vitiligo know of someone in their family who also has it. The exact type of inheritance has not yet been worked out. If you have vitiligo, it does not necessarily follow that your children will develop it too.

What are the symptoms of vitiligo?


These fall into two groups:

Vitiligo is not an itchy or sore condition.

What does vitiligo look like?

Vitiligo consists of skin that totally lacks the normal melanin pigmentation, and is thus completely white. It is usually symmetrical. The skin otherwise feels entirely normal. The most common sites for vitiligo are the hands and face, around body openings (the eyes, nostrils, mouth, umbilicus and genital regions), and within body folds such as the underarms and groin. When hair-bearing skin is involved, the hair may lose its pigment.

Repigmentation often commences around hair follicles, initially giving a rather speckled appearance.

How will vitiligo be diagnosed?

The diagnosis is usually easy to make by its appearance. Occasionally, examination under an ultraviolet lamp is helpful, especially in light-skinned people. Once the diagnosis of vitiligo has been made, your doctor may want to take a blood sample to check for thyroid disease and for other autoimmune conditions.

Can vitiligo be cured?

At present, there is not a guaranteed cure for vitiligo, although treatment may be helpful.

How can vitiligo be treated?

There are a number of treatment options that can be discussed with your GP or dermatologist. Often no treatment may be required other than good sun protection, especially in pale-skinned individuals.

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