What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is (vit-ill-EYE-go) caused by pigmentation disorder of the skin. The human skin contains (melanocytes) special cells that produce the melanin pigment which make the color of the skin. In Vitiligo, the melanocytes as well as mucous membranes (the tissues that line the inside of the nose, mouth and genital areas), and the retina of the eyes are destroyed. Therefore, white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. The hair that grows in areas affected by Vitiligo may also turn white.

Who is Affected by Vitiligo?

Around 60 to 70 million people in the world are affected by Vitiligo. It forms about 1 to 1.5% of people in the world. Alone in United States 2 to 3 million people have discovered vitiligo. Vitiligo affects both men and women and is equally common in all races. Half of the people discover vitiligo before the age of 20; majority discover it before their 40th birthday.

Vitiligo seems to be more common in people with certain autoimmune diseases (diseases in which a person's immune system reacts against the body's own organs or tissues). These autoimmune diseases include:

• Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland)
• Adrenal insufficiency, including Addison's disease
• Alopecia areata (patches of baldness)
• Pernicious anemia (a low level of red blood cells caused by failure of the body to absorb vitamin B12).

Scientists do not know the reason for the association between vitiligo and these autoimmune diseases. However, most people with vitiligo have no other autoimmune disease.

Vitiligo may also be hereditary, meaning that children whose parents have the disorder are more likely to develop the condition. However, most children will not get vitiligo even if a parent has it, and most people with vitiligo do not have a family history of the disorder.

What Causes Vitiligo?

There are many theories about the cause of vitiligo but the exact cause is not completely known. Doctors, vitiligo experts and researchers have several different theories. According to one theory, people affected by vitiligo build antibodies that destroy their melanocytes (the cell that makes color of the skin) instead of protecting them. The most widely accepted view is that depigmentation happens because vitiligo is an autoimmune disease -- a disease in which a person's immune system reacts against the body's own organs or tissues. As such, people's bodies produce proteins called cytokines that change their pigment-producing cells and cause these cells to die. Some people have also reported that a single event such as emotional distress or sunburn causes vitiligo. While scientifically, events of this nature have not been recognize as the main cause of vitiligo.

What are the Symptoms of Vitiligo?

"White patches" (depigmentation) on the skin are the foremost symbol of vitiligo. These patches are more common in sun-exposed areas, that include, hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Other common areas are the armpits and groin, and around the mouth, eyes, nostrils, navel, and genitals.

The key symbol of vitiligo is white patches (depigmentation) on the skin. White patches are more commonly found on sun-exposed areas of the body, that include, hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Other affected areas are the armpits, nostrils, eyes, navel, genitals, and around the mouth.

There are 3 patterns in which Vitiligo generally Vitiligo appears:

1. In segmental pattern the depigmented white patches develop on only one side of the body. Read more...
2. In focal pattern the depigmentation is limited to one or only a few areas. Read more...
3. In generalized pattern the depigmentation occurs symmetrically on both sides of the body. It is the most common pattern. Read more...
4. In universal vitiligo, the white patches spread on all over the body. Read more...

Along with the white patches that appear on the skin, people with vitiligo may have early graying of the scalp hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, and beard. People with dark skin may notice a loss of color inside their mouths. Read more...

Will the White Patches Spread?

There is no way to tell if vitiligo will spread. For some people, the white patches do not spread. But often the white patches will spread to other areas of the body. For some people, vitiligo spreads slowly, over many years. For other people, spreading occurs quickly. Some people have reported more white patches after physical or emotional stress.

How is Vitiligo diagnosed?

A doctor will likely suspect Vitiligo if you report white patches of skin on the body particularly on sun-exposed areas, including the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. If Vitiligo is suspected, the doctor will ask about your medical history. Important factors in the diagnosis include a family history of vitiligo; a rash, sunburn, or other skin trauma at the site of vitiligo 2 to 3 months before depigmentation starts; doctor may also asked any stress or physical illness. Furthermore, the doctor will ask whether you or anyone in your family has had any autoimmune diseases, and whether you are very sensitive to the sun.

To verify the diagnosis, the doctor may take a small sample (biopsy) of the affected skin to examine under a microscope. In vitiligo, the skin sample will usually show an absolute absence of pigment-producing melanocytes. While the presence of inflamed cells in the sample may suggest that another condition is responsible for the loss of pigmentation.

Because vitiligo may be associated with pernicious anemia (it is a condition in which gastrointestinal tract absorbs an insufficient amount of vitamin B-12) or hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland). The doctor may also take a blood sample to observe the blood-cell count and thyroid function. It is possible that the doctor may recommend an eye examination to check for uveitis (inflammation of part of the eye), which sometimes occurs with Vitiligo.