Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTypesDiagnosisTreatmentNext in Vitiligo GuideCauses and Risk Factors of Vitiligo
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Types
Diagnosis
Treatment
Next in Vitiligo Guide
Vitiligo is neither dangerous nor contagious, but people with visible patches may feel self-conscious about their appearance.
Axel Bueckert / EyeEm / Getty Images
The primary symptom of vitiligo is a loss of pigment that occurs in patches on any area of the body. Other symptoms can include:
Vitiligo belongs to a group of conditions known as autoimmune diseases. These are ones in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue or cells—in this case, the melanocytes (pigment cells that give skin its color). There is no clear-cut reason why the melanocytes die, but genetics are thought to play a role.
Researchers have found a clear genetic connection between vitiligo and other autoimmune diseases.Specifically, vitiligo is associated with:
What Are Autoimmune Diseases?
A number of factors are considered trigger events for vitiligo for those who are predisposed to the condition, including:
Vitiligo StatsIt is believed that 2 million people in the United States have vitiligo.Vitiligo can start at any age, but about half of those who have it develop it before the age of 20,and about 95% before age 40.Approximately 20% of vitiligo patients have a family member with the same condition. However, only 5% to 7% of children will get vitiligo even if a parent has it.
Vitiligo Stats
It is believed that 2 million people in the United States have vitiligo.Vitiligo can start at any age, but about half of those who have it develop it before the age of 20,and about 95% before age 40.Approximately 20% of vitiligo patients have a family member with the same condition. However, only 5% to 7% of children will get vitiligo even if a parent has it.
The location and prevalence of symptoms vary, depending on which type of vitiligo you have. Types include:
Non-Segmental Vitiligo
This is the most common type of vitiligo. The patches are visible on both sides of the body and are typically symmetrical. The spots are most commonly found in areas exposed to the sun or on skin subjected to pressure, friction, or trauma.
There are five subcategories of non-segmental vitiligo:
Segmental Vitiligo
This form of vitiligo, which is much less common than non-segmental vitiligo, affects only one segment of skin and tends to stop growing once the initial patch is established.
Mixed Vitiligo
In mixed vitiligo, there is a combination of both segmental and non-segmental vitiligo.
Vitiligo Minor or Hypochromic Vitiligo
Changes Over TimeFor some patients, vitiligo is localized to only a few areas. Others have vitiligo that is more progressive and may develop more patches over time.While new patches of vitiligo are still appearing, the condition is “active.” For many patients, new spots stop developing after a certain amount of time (from months to years). At that point, the condition is considered “stable.”
Changes Over Time
For some patients, vitiligo is localized to only a few areas. Others have vitiligo that is more progressive and may develop more patches over time.While new patches of vitiligo are still appearing, the condition is “active.” For many patients, new spots stop developing after a certain amount of time (from months to years). At that point, the condition is considered “stable.”
For some patients, vitiligo is localized to only a few areas. Others have vitiligo that is more progressive and may develop more patches over time.
While new patches of vitiligo are still appearing, the condition is “active.” For many patients, new spots stop developing after a certain amount of time (from months to years). At that point, the condition is considered “stable.”
If you have symptoms of vitiligo, your primary care doctor will likely refer you to a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis. The dermatologist will evaluate your family history and medical history, and perform a physical exam. They may ask:
Dermatologists may use a special light called a Wood’s lamp to determine if your white patch is vitiligo. Vitiligo fluoresces (glows) when the purple Wood’s lamp is shined onto the skin.
Your practitioner may perform blood tests to evaluate for any underlying autoimmune disease. In some cases, they may also perform a skin biopsy to rule out any more serious skin conditions, such ascancer.
Vitiligo can be difficult to treat since the progression of the disease varies so much depending on the case. Sometimes the patches stop forming without treatment, but often pigment loss spreads.Rarely, the skin gets its color back.
While there are many treatment options for vitiligo, there is no cure.
Currently, treatment options include:
Some people choose not to treat their vitiligo at all since there is no medical reason to do so.
How to Prevent Worsening of Vitiligo
A Word From Verywell
While vitiligo is not a serious disease, people differ in how they view it when it affects them. Some confidently embrace changes to their skin, while others find it takes a toll on self-esteem.
Being well informed about the condition and seeking out proper care from a dermatologist can help you manage your expectations and symptoms. Connecting with others with vitiligo can help you cope with any feelings you may have about your condition.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Grimes PE. (2017).Vitiligo: Pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis. Tsao H, ed. UpToDate.Baldini E, Odorisio T, Sorrenti S, et al.Vitiligo and Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders.Front Endocrinol(Lausanne). 2017;8:290. doi:10.3389/fendo.2017.00290Dermatologist offers unique treatment for vitiligo skin discoloration. UT Southwestern Medical Center. July 16, 2015.Genetics & Incidence. Vitiligo Support International.Vitiligo: Diagnosis and treatment. American Academy of Dermatology.Additional ReadingLiu LY, Strassner JP, Refat MA, Harris JE, King BA.Repigmentation in vitiligo using the Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib may require concomitant light exposure.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017 Oct;77(4):675-82. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.05.043Vrijman C et al.The prevalence of thyroid disease in patients with vitiligo: a systematic review.Br J Dermatol2012 Dec;167(6):1224-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11198.x
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Grimes PE. (2017).Vitiligo: Pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis. Tsao H, ed. UpToDate.Baldini E, Odorisio T, Sorrenti S, et al.Vitiligo and Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders.Front Endocrinol(Lausanne). 2017;8:290. doi:10.3389/fendo.2017.00290Dermatologist offers unique treatment for vitiligo skin discoloration. UT Southwestern Medical Center. July 16, 2015.Genetics & Incidence. Vitiligo Support International.Vitiligo: Diagnosis and treatment. American Academy of Dermatology.Additional ReadingLiu LY, Strassner JP, Refat MA, Harris JE, King BA.Repigmentation in vitiligo using the Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib may require concomitant light exposure.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017 Oct;77(4):675-82. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.05.043Vrijman C et al.The prevalence of thyroid disease in patients with vitiligo: a systematic review.Br J Dermatol2012 Dec;167(6):1224-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11198.x
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Grimes PE. (2017).Vitiligo: Pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis. Tsao H, ed. UpToDate.Baldini E, Odorisio T, Sorrenti S, et al.Vitiligo and Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders.Front Endocrinol(Lausanne). 2017;8:290. doi:10.3389/fendo.2017.00290Dermatologist offers unique treatment for vitiligo skin discoloration. UT Southwestern Medical Center. July 16, 2015.Genetics & Incidence. Vitiligo Support International.Vitiligo: Diagnosis and treatment. American Academy of Dermatology.
Grimes PE. (2017).Vitiligo: Pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis. Tsao H, ed. UpToDate.
Baldini E, Odorisio T, Sorrenti S, et al.Vitiligo and Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders.Front Endocrinol(Lausanne). 2017;8:290. doi:10.3389/fendo.2017.00290
Dermatologist offers unique treatment for vitiligo skin discoloration. UT Southwestern Medical Center. July 16, 2015.
Genetics & Incidence. Vitiligo Support International.
Vitiligo: Diagnosis and treatment. American Academy of Dermatology.
Liu LY, Strassner JP, Refat MA, Harris JE, King BA.Repigmentation in vitiligo using the Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib may require concomitant light exposure.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017 Oct;77(4):675-82. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.05.043Vrijman C et al.The prevalence of thyroid disease in patients with vitiligo: a systematic review.Br J Dermatol2012 Dec;167(6):1224-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11198.x
Liu LY, Strassner JP, Refat MA, Harris JE, King BA.Repigmentation in vitiligo using the Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib may require concomitant light exposure.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017 Oct;77(4):675-82. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.05.043
Vrijman C et al.The prevalence of thyroid disease in patients with vitiligo: a systematic review.Br J Dermatol2012 Dec;167(6):1224-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11198.x
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