Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewPrevalenceBy EthnicityBy Age and SexCauses and Risk FactorsScreeningFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Overview
Prevalence
By Ethnicity
By Age and Sex
Causes and Risk Factors
Screening
Frequently Asked Questions
Roughly 1.9 million people are diagnosed withvitiligoin the United States. However, medical researchers believe that the number of actual cases may be closer to 2.8 million because many patients are undiagnosed.
Vitiligo doesn’t discriminate, and it is found relatively equally in all ethnicities and sexes.
This article discusses important facts and statistics about vitiligo.
Westend61 / Getty Images
Vitiligo Overview
Vitiligo is anautoimmune disorderthat presents asdepigmentation of the skin. The pigment melanin, which gives skin its color, is lost in people with vitiligo, resulting in pale patches of white skin on their bodies.
The patches can occur anywhere. However, they are most commonly found on the head, face, neck, and hands. Once the condition develops, it continues to progress and worsen over time. In some cases, the patches of white skin may improve or stop growing.
Autoimmunity and VitiligoAn autoimmune disease occurs when cells of the immune system mistake healthy cells for foreign pathogens and attacks them. In the case of vitiligo, the cells attacked are melanocytes, pigment cells that help give skin its color.
Autoimmunity and Vitiligo
An autoimmune disease occurs when cells of the immune system mistake healthy cells for foreign pathogens and attacks them. In the case of vitiligo, the cells attacked are melanocytes, pigment cells that help give skin its color.
Is Vitiligo Painful?
How Common Is Vitiligo?
Roughly 1100 in every 100,000 people in the United States have vitiligo.Determining the exact number of cases is difficult because not everyone with the condition comes forward for a diagnosis.
While the number of people diagnosed with vitiligo sits lower at 770 per 100,000, the total number of cases includes diagnosed, undiagnosed, and self-reported.
There aretwo types of vitiligo:
Non-segmental vitiligo presents as patches that develop symmetrically on both sides of the body. When segmental occurs, it affects only one area of the body. Roughly 9 out of every 10 cases of vitiligo are considered non-segmental.
Is Vitiligo on the Rise?It is hard to determine if the number of people with vitiligo is rising because many with the disorder choose not to seek medical treatment. Because of that, information regarding the increase or decrease in cases is scarce.
Is Vitiligo on the Rise?
It is hard to determine if the number of people with vitiligo is rising because many with the disorder choose not to seek medical treatment. Because of that, information regarding the increase or decrease in cases is scarce.
Vitiligo and Darker Skin Tones
While vitiligo can occur at any age, it typically begins to develop in childhood or before the age of 20.By that time, nearly half of all cases will have developed in people with vitiligo. By 30, roughly 70% to 80% of vitiligo cases will have already developed.
When it comes to which sex is most affected, the research has been inconsistent. Some studies suggest that males are more likely to develop the condition, whereas others have found females to be the most affected.
Vitiligo and AgingPeople who have vitiligo have it for life. Once it develops, it can be managed or left alone since it poses no health threat.
Vitiligo and Aging
People who have vitiligo have it for life. Once it develops, it can be managed or left alone since it poses no health threat.
Causes of Vitiligo and Risk Factors
The exact cause of vitiligo isn’t well understood. That said, some factors increase the risk of someone developing vitiligo. Risk factors include:
Vitiligo and Skin-Lightening ProductsAlthough rare, using skin-lightening products can trigger vitiligo in someone who is already genetically predisposed to the condition.
Vitiligo and Skin-Lightening Products
Although rare, using skin-lightening products can trigger vitiligo in someone who is already genetically predisposed to the condition.
Is Vitiligo Genetic?
Screening and Early Detection
Vitiligo does not cause other health issues and isn’t severe enough to threaten a person’s overall level of wellness.
Because of that, screening and early detection are not necessarily needed. Typically, the patches of white skin develop and cause no pain or irritation. If someone does not like the cosmetic appearance of the spots, they canseek treatment, but it is not always necessary to do so.
Reducing the Vitiligo Stigma
How Vitiligo Is Treated
Summary
Both sexes are thought to be affected equally. Research is still ongoing because many studies have come to different conclusions regarding the prevalence rates in both sexes. Because many studies come to other decisions regarding sex and vitiligo, it’s hard to determine which sex is the most affected.
Vitiligo typically develops before 30. Most cases appear between childhood and age 20. Once the skin condition emerges, it cannot be cured. Treatments usually focus on changing the cosmetic appearance of the white patches.
Tips for Building Self-Esteem When You Have Vitiligo
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhile vitiligo doesn’t cause serious health consequences, it can lead to poor self-image and self-esteem in some. That said, treatments are available to help combat that, and the stigma regarding the appearance of the white patches is beginning to subside due to a more inclusive cultural push.Vitiligo affects all age groups equally because once you develop the condition, you have it for life. That said, the onset age varies, and most people with vitiligo begin developing it before the age of 30.While stress isn’t linked to the onset of vitiligo in childhood, research has found that it can be a risk factor for people who develop the condition after age 30. Adult onset vitiligo can come on for many reasons, and stress is just one of them.
While vitiligo doesn’t cause serious health consequences, it can lead to poor self-image and self-esteem in some. That said, treatments are available to help combat that, and the stigma regarding the appearance of the white patches is beginning to subside due to a more inclusive cultural push.
Vitiligo affects all age groups equally because once you develop the condition, you have it for life. That said, the onset age varies, and most people with vitiligo begin developing it before the age of 30.
While stress isn’t linked to the onset of vitiligo in childhood, research has found that it can be a risk factor for people who develop the condition after age 30. Adult onset vitiligo can come on for many reasons, and stress is just one of them.
10 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.Gandhi K, Ezzedine K, Anastassopoulos KP, et al.Prevalence of vitiligo among adults in the United States.JAMA Dermatol.2022;158(1):43-50. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.4724Medline Plus.Vitiligo.UK National Health Service.Vitiligo.Silverberg JI, Reja M, Silverberg NB.Regional variation of and association of US birthplace with vitiligo extent.JAMA Dermatol.2014;150(12):1298-305. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.899Thng S. Chuah SY, Gan E.Age and vitiligo: childhood, pregnancy and late-onset vitiligo.Vitiligo.2019:141-151. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-62960-5_14Bergqvist C, Ezzedine K.Vitiligo: a review.Dermatology.2020;236(6):571-592. doi:10.1159/000506103Patil S, Gautam M, Nadkarni N, Saboo N, Godse K, Setia MS.Gender differences in clinicoepidemiological features of vitiligo: a cross-sectional analysis.ISRN Dermatol.2014;2014:186197. doi:10.1155/2014/186197National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Vitiligo.Henning SW, Jaishankar D, Barse LW, et al.The relationship between stress and vitiligo: evaluating perceived stress and electronic medical record data.PLoS One.2020;15(1):e0227909. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227909Sawant NS, Vanjari NA, Khopkar U.Gender differences in depression, coping, stigma, and quality of life in patients of vitiligo.Dermatol Res Pract.2019;2019:6879412. doi:10.1155/2019/6879412
10 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.Gandhi K, Ezzedine K, Anastassopoulos KP, et al.Prevalence of vitiligo among adults in the United States.JAMA Dermatol.2022;158(1):43-50. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.4724Medline Plus.Vitiligo.UK National Health Service.Vitiligo.Silverberg JI, Reja M, Silverberg NB.Regional variation of and association of US birthplace with vitiligo extent.JAMA Dermatol.2014;150(12):1298-305. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.899Thng S. Chuah SY, Gan E.Age and vitiligo: childhood, pregnancy and late-onset vitiligo.Vitiligo.2019:141-151. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-62960-5_14Bergqvist C, Ezzedine K.Vitiligo: a review.Dermatology.2020;236(6):571-592. doi:10.1159/000506103Patil S, Gautam M, Nadkarni N, Saboo N, Godse K, Setia MS.Gender differences in clinicoepidemiological features of vitiligo: a cross-sectional analysis.ISRN Dermatol.2014;2014:186197. doi:10.1155/2014/186197National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Vitiligo.Henning SW, Jaishankar D, Barse LW, et al.The relationship between stress and vitiligo: evaluating perceived stress and electronic medical record data.PLoS One.2020;15(1):e0227909. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227909Sawant NS, Vanjari NA, Khopkar U.Gender differences in depression, coping, stigma, and quality of life in patients of vitiligo.Dermatol Res Pract.2019;2019:6879412. doi:10.1155/2019/6879412
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.
Gandhi K, Ezzedine K, Anastassopoulos KP, et al.Prevalence of vitiligo among adults in the United States.JAMA Dermatol.2022;158(1):43-50. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.4724Medline Plus.Vitiligo.UK National Health Service.Vitiligo.Silverberg JI, Reja M, Silverberg NB.Regional variation of and association of US birthplace with vitiligo extent.JAMA Dermatol.2014;150(12):1298-305. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.899Thng S. Chuah SY, Gan E.Age and vitiligo: childhood, pregnancy and late-onset vitiligo.Vitiligo.2019:141-151. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-62960-5_14Bergqvist C, Ezzedine K.Vitiligo: a review.Dermatology.2020;236(6):571-592. doi:10.1159/000506103Patil S, Gautam M, Nadkarni N, Saboo N, Godse K, Setia MS.Gender differences in clinicoepidemiological features of vitiligo: a cross-sectional analysis.ISRN Dermatol.2014;2014:186197. doi:10.1155/2014/186197National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Vitiligo.Henning SW, Jaishankar D, Barse LW, et al.The relationship between stress and vitiligo: evaluating perceived stress and electronic medical record data.PLoS One.2020;15(1):e0227909. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227909Sawant NS, Vanjari NA, Khopkar U.Gender differences in depression, coping, stigma, and quality of life in patients of vitiligo.Dermatol Res Pract.2019;2019:6879412. doi:10.1155/2019/6879412
Gandhi K, Ezzedine K, Anastassopoulos KP, et al.Prevalence of vitiligo among adults in the United States.JAMA Dermatol.2022;158(1):43-50. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.4724
Medline Plus.Vitiligo.
UK National Health Service.Vitiligo.
Silverberg JI, Reja M, Silverberg NB.Regional variation of and association of US birthplace with vitiligo extent.JAMA Dermatol.2014;150(12):1298-305. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.899
Thng S. Chuah SY, Gan E.Age and vitiligo: childhood, pregnancy and late-onset vitiligo.Vitiligo.2019:141-151. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-62960-5_14
Bergqvist C, Ezzedine K.Vitiligo: a review.Dermatology.2020;236(6):571-592. doi:10.1159/000506103
Patil S, Gautam M, Nadkarni N, Saboo N, Godse K, Setia MS.Gender differences in clinicoepidemiological features of vitiligo: a cross-sectional analysis.ISRN Dermatol.2014;2014:186197. doi:10.1155/2014/186197
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Vitiligo.
Henning SW, Jaishankar D, Barse LW, et al.The relationship between stress and vitiligo: evaluating perceived stress and electronic medical record data.PLoS One.2020;15(1):e0227909. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227909
Sawant NS, Vanjari NA, Khopkar U.Gender differences in depression, coping, stigma, and quality of life in patients of vitiligo.Dermatol Res Pract.2019;2019:6879412. doi:10.1155/2019/6879412
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