Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Vitiligo?How Does Vitiligo Affect Children?Signs and SymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Vitiligo?
How Does Vitiligo Affect Children?
Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Vitiligoaffects people of all genders and skin colors and can appear at any age. However, many people begin to experience the coloring changes before 20 years of age, and some even start in early childhood.
Living with vitiligo, especially in childhood and adolescence, can be difficult. This overview article discusses vitiligo in children, diagnosis, treatment, and more.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Vitiligois a skin condition that causes areas of the skin to lose color orpigmentation. These patches form becausemelanocytes, the skin cells that create the pigment, are destroyed, leading to areas of lighter skin. It is a chronic condition, meaning it lasts a long time.
Vitiligo is thought to be anautoimmune disease, but it is still unknown what exactly causes it. It is common, affecting about 0.5% to 1% of the world’s population. It is seen more in those with a family history of it, with about 20% of people with vitiligo having at least one close relative with it.
Autoimmune Conditions and VitiligoChildren with vitiligo often have another autoimmune condition, including:Addison’s disease, a condition involving the adrenal glandsType 1 diabetesThyroid disease
Autoimmune Conditions and Vitiligo
Children with vitiligo often have another autoimmune condition, including:Addison’s disease, a condition involving the adrenal glandsType 1 diabetesThyroid disease
Children with vitiligo often have another autoimmune condition, including:
Types
There are two types of vitiligo: generalized, or nonsegmental, vitiligo and segmental vitiligo.
Generalized vitiligo is more common and usually affects larger areas of the skin in a symmetrical pattern, like both knees or both hands. Segmental vitiligo is rarer than the other type and occurs on only one side of the body. It commonly begins at an earlier age and continues to progress for a couple of years before stopping.
Segmental vitiligo affects about 30% of children with vitiligo.
Causes and Risk Factors of Vitiligo
Living with vitiligo can be challenging, especially in childhood and adolescence. It is a lifelong process that can alter a child’s appearance. Those living with vitiligo have an increased risk of depression, anxiety, social isolation, and decreased self-esteem. Research has also shown that it impacts the emotions and quality of life of caregivers of children with vitiligo.
Signs and Symptoms of Vitiligo in Children
The main sign of vitiligo is loss of natural color on the skin, but it can occur anywhere on the body. Common locations of this loss of pigment are:
Many people with vitiligo do not have any other symptoms and feel healthy. However, some children can develop other medical concerns like inflammation in the ear, as there are melanocytes in the inner ear. If those cells are attacked, it can lead to hearing loss.
Vitiligo and Hearing LossApproximately 12% to 38% of people with vitiligo have some hearing loss, but most are unaware that they have it.
Vitiligo and Hearing Loss
Approximately 12% to 38% of people with vitiligo have some hearing loss, but most are unaware that they have it.
Vision and the ability to produce tears can also be affected. If a child’s dermatologist suspects any of these problems, referrals will be made to the right specialists. This may include anophthalmologist, which is a doctor who specializes in the eyes, or an ENT, also known as an ear, nose, and throat doctor.
Vitiligo Is More Than AppearanceIt is important to remember that this is a medical condition and not just a difference in appearance. Finding a dermatologist specializing in vitiligo is important both to confirm the diagnosis and advise appropriate treatment.
Vitiligo Is More Than Appearance
It is important to remember that this is a medical condition and not just a difference in appearance. Finding a dermatologist specializing in vitiligo is important both to confirm the diagnosis and advise appropriate treatment.
Vitiligo on Darker Skin
There is no cure for vitiligo, but treatments are available to try to slow the process or improve the appearance of the skin. These treatments take time, and unfortunately, not every person sees an improvement.In children, not every available treatment is an option.
Treatments that might be offered to your child include:
The option of no medical treatment for children and the use of cosmetics instead has been studied, and the results showed that camouflaging the affected areas made children feel more comfortable and improved their self-esteem.However, this might not be the right option for every child.
How Vitiligo Is Treated
Vitiligo and EmotionsVitiligo can take a mental and emotional toll on a child, so it is important to support them and tell their doctor if there are any emotional or behavioral changes. The doctor will be able to refer your child to a professional who can help with this.
Vitiligo and Emotions
Vitiligo can take a mental and emotional toll on a child, so it is important to support them and tell their doctor if there are any emotional or behavioral changes. The doctor will be able to refer your child to a professional who can help with this.
Prevention
It is also important to protect skin from the sun, especially those areas that have lost pigmentation. Dermatologists recommend that anybody with vitiligo usesun protection, as a sunburn can worsen the effects of it. To protect skin from the sun, dermatologists recommend:
A Word From Verywell
Vitiligo typically begins prior to adulthood and can alter a child’s appearance. Having this chronic medical condition in childhood and adolescence can take a toll on both the child and their caregivers, especially since it is likely to be a lifelong process. It is important for you to support your child in this diagnosis, but also realize that it can impact your emotions as well.
Finding aboard-certified dermatologistwho specializes in vitiligo will help to confirm the diagnosis and get the right treatment. They will also be able to direct you to resources like support groups for those living with vitiligo and mental health professionals if needed.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe progression of vitiligo depends on the type that a child has, meaning generalized or segmental. The more common generalized vitiligo can start with a rapid loss of color in an area, stop, and then start again in another area. Segmental vitiligo, which usually starts at an earlier age, appears in one area, continues to expand for about one to two years, and then stops.The appearance of vitiligo is the same in both children and adults. However, treatment options differ, as some are not safe to use in children. For example, an option not detailed in this article is surgery, as it is only an option for adults with vitiligo.Vitiligo typically begins with loss of color on the skin, especially the hands, feet, and around the mouth. However, it can also cause hair to turn white, especially on the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes in children.
The progression of vitiligo depends on the type that a child has, meaning generalized or segmental. The more common generalized vitiligo can start with a rapid loss of color in an area, stop, and then start again in another area. Segmental vitiligo, which usually starts at an earlier age, appears in one area, continues to expand for about one to two years, and then stops.
The appearance of vitiligo is the same in both children and adults. However, treatment options differ, as some are not safe to use in children. For example, an option not detailed in this article is surgery, as it is only an option for adults with vitiligo.
Vitiligo typically begins with loss of color on the skin, especially the hands, feet, and around the mouth. However, it can also cause hair to turn white, especially on the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes in children.
When to See a Dermatologist
8 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.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Vitiligo: Overview.MedlinePlus Genetics.Vitiligo.Lause M, Kamboj A, Fernandez Faith E.Dermatologic manifestations of endocrine disorders. Transl Pediatr. 2017;6(4):300-312. doi: 10.21037/tp.2017.09.08National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Vitiligo.National Health Service.Overview: Vitiligo.Andrade G, Rangu S, Provini L, Putterman E, Gauthier A, Castelo-Soccio L.Childhood vitiligo impacts emotional health of parents: a prospective, cross-sectional study of quality of life for primary caregivers.J Patient Rep Outcomes. 2020;4(1):20. doi:10.1186/s41687-020-0186-2Dyer JM, Foy VM.Revealing The Unseen: A Review of Wood’s Lamp in Dermatology.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2022;15(6):25-30.Food and Drug Administration.Opzelura label.
8 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.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Vitiligo: Overview.MedlinePlus Genetics.Vitiligo.Lause M, Kamboj A, Fernandez Faith E.Dermatologic manifestations of endocrine disorders. Transl Pediatr. 2017;6(4):300-312. doi: 10.21037/tp.2017.09.08National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Vitiligo.National Health Service.Overview: Vitiligo.Andrade G, Rangu S, Provini L, Putterman E, Gauthier A, Castelo-Soccio L.Childhood vitiligo impacts emotional health of parents: a prospective, cross-sectional study of quality of life for primary caregivers.J Patient Rep Outcomes. 2020;4(1):20. doi:10.1186/s41687-020-0186-2Dyer JM, Foy VM.Revealing The Unseen: A Review of Wood’s Lamp in Dermatology.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2022;15(6):25-30.Food and Drug Administration.Opzelura label.
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.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Vitiligo: Overview.MedlinePlus Genetics.Vitiligo.Lause M, Kamboj A, Fernandez Faith E.Dermatologic manifestations of endocrine disorders. Transl Pediatr. 2017;6(4):300-312. doi: 10.21037/tp.2017.09.08National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Vitiligo.National Health Service.Overview: Vitiligo.Andrade G, Rangu S, Provini L, Putterman E, Gauthier A, Castelo-Soccio L.Childhood vitiligo impacts emotional health of parents: a prospective, cross-sectional study of quality of life for primary caregivers.J Patient Rep Outcomes. 2020;4(1):20. doi:10.1186/s41687-020-0186-2Dyer JM, Foy VM.Revealing The Unseen: A Review of Wood’s Lamp in Dermatology.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2022;15(6):25-30.Food and Drug Administration.Opzelura label.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Vitiligo: Overview.
MedlinePlus Genetics.Vitiligo.
Lause M, Kamboj A, Fernandez Faith E.Dermatologic manifestations of endocrine disorders. Transl Pediatr. 2017;6(4):300-312. doi: 10.21037/tp.2017.09.08
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Vitiligo.
National Health Service.Overview: Vitiligo.
Andrade G, Rangu S, Provini L, Putterman E, Gauthier A, Castelo-Soccio L.Childhood vitiligo impacts emotional health of parents: a prospective, cross-sectional study of quality of life for primary caregivers.J Patient Rep Outcomes. 2020;4(1):20. doi:10.1186/s41687-020-0186-2
Dyer JM, Foy VM.Revealing The Unseen: A Review of Wood’s Lamp in Dermatology.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2022;15(6):25-30.
Food and Drug Administration.Opzelura label.
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