Skin/Autoimmune

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. The patches of skin affected become white and usually have sharp margins. The hair from the skin may also become white. Vitiligo is caused by a loss of melanocytes, which are cells responsible for skin pigmentation. It can affect people of any race or skin tone but is more visible in people with darker skin.

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Symptoms

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Causes

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Treatments

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Prevention

Condition Overview

Understand key symptoms, causes, diagnosis options, and treatment pathways for Vitiligo. This overview is intended for patient awareness and should be followed by specialist consultation.

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Symptoms

  • Patchy loss of skin color (usually first appears on sun-exposed areas)
  • Premature whitening or graying of hair, eyebrows, eyelashes
  • Loss of color in the tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose (mucous membranes)
  • Loss of or change in color of the inner layer of the eye (retina)

Causes

  • Autoimmune attack on melanocytes
  • Genetic predisposition
  • Possible triggers: sunburn, emotional stress, exposure to certain chemicals

Diagnosis

  • Physical examination
  • Wood's lamp examination
  • Biopsy
  • Blood tests for autoimmune diseases

Treatment

  • Topical corticosteroids
  • Topical calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus)
  • JAK inhibitors (ruxolitinib cream — FDA approved)
  • UVB phototherapy
  • PUVA therapy
  • Surgical options (for stable vitiligo)
  • Camouflage cosmetics

Risk Factors

  • Family history of vitiligo
  • Personal or family history of autoimmune diseases (thyroid, type 1 diabetes, alopecia areata)
  • Having a parent with vitiligo

Prevention

  • No known prevention
  • Sun protection to prevent sunburned vitiligo patches

Prevalence

Affects about 0.5–2% of the global population; approximately 3.5–4 million Americans.

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