Vitiligo affects at least 1% of the population. About half of the people who develop this skin disorder experience some pigment loss before the age of 20, and about one third of all Vitiligo patients say that other family members also have this condition.

Patients with Vitiligo develop white spots in the skin that vary in size and location. The spots occur when pigment cells, or melanocytes, are destroyed and the pigment melanin can no longer be produced. Melanocytes normally occur throughout the skin, and in the hair follicles, mouth, eyes, and some parts of the central nervous system. In Vitiligo, pigment cells can be lost in any of these areas. Common sites of pigment loss are:

The precise answer at this time is no. Vitiligo is probably caused by a variety of factors interacting in specific ways. Research has advanced the understanding of the physical and psychosocial aspects of Vitiligo, but the cause and cure for this disease are unknown. [top of page]

Vitiligo is a relatively common skin disorder, in which white spots or patches appear on the skin. These spots are caused by destruction or weakening of the pigment cells in those areas, resulting in the pigment being destroyed or no longer produced. Many doctors and researchers believe that vitiligo is an autoimmune-related disorder. Although researchers are not exactly sure what causes the autoimmune response, more is being learned every year.

The precise cause of Vitiligo is not known. A combination of genetic, immunologic and neurogenic factors is of major importance in most cases. Many people report pigment loss shortly after a severe sunburn. Others relate the onset of Vitiligo to emotional trauma associated with an accident, death in the family, divorce, etc. Early graying of hair is part of Vitiligo. Patients with Vitiligo appear to have normal pigment cells.

Even though treatment of Vitiligo is not completely satisfactory, there are two basic methods: to try to restore the normal pigment (repigment), or to try to destroy the remaining pigment cells (depigment). [top of page]

Research on pigment cells as related to Vitiligo has increased greatly in the past ten years. Attempts to stop Vitiligo by the use of hydrocortisone compounds applied to the skin appear promising. Melanocyte transplants, where the dermatologist takes pigment cells from an unexposed normally pigmented patch of skin, grows them in culture to large numbers, and returns them into a white patch, is also promising. [top of page] Yes, there is much concern for the patient with Vitiligo.

People who develop vitiligo usually first notice white patches or spots (depigmentation) on their skin. The skin remains of normal texture, though some people experience itching in areas where depigmentation is occurring. The white patches are more obvious in sun-exposed areas, including the hands, feet, arms, legs face, and lips. Other common areas for white patches to appear are the armpits and groin and around the mouth, eyes, nostrils, navel, and genitals.

Some people develop vitiligo only in one or a few limited areas of their body. This is called segmental vitiligo. People with vitiligo can have a combination of segmental and generalized vitiligo.

Most people find that their vitiligo develops in a generalized way, most often with bilateral characteristics, meaning that if a vitiligo patch appears on one elbow, it often appears on the other elbow about the same time.

Vitiligo is NOT contagious. If it were, many more people in the world, including doctors who treat vitiligo and family members of those with vitiligo, would have the condition. There are many theories about what causes vitiligo, but many experts believe, and data supports the theory, that one must be genetically susceptible, in order to develop vitiligo.

There are many theories about what causes vitiligo, and no one is positively certain. However, many doctors and researchers believe that a genetic predisposition or susceptibility to vitiligo exists in most people who develop vitiligo.

Vitiligo is a relatively common disease, with about 1 to 2% of the world's population affected, which means anywhere from 50 to 100 million people are affected. 100 million people is roughly the population of California, New York, Illinois, Florida and Texas combined.

Children usually cope best with vitiligo when their parent(s) is/are prepared to talk about the condition as openly and truthfully as possible. To pretend you haven't noticed something so obvious may make it difficult for your child to talk to you about it. Because this is often so difficult for parents to cope with, especially as relates to other children, it is important to talk with teachers, and counselors, and to be conscious if your child is being teased or bullied.

Most people with vitiligo have no relatives with vitiligo. However, enough people with vitiligo do have parents, or siblings or children who develop vitiligo that a genetic factor does appear to exist. While there is some disagreement in the medical community, many vitiligo experts believe there is not an increased risk for skin cancer in vitiligo patients.

The beginning of Vitiligo and the severity of pigment loss differs with each patient. Light skinned people usually notice the pigment loss during the summer as the contrast between the vitiliginous skin and the suntanned skin becomes distinct. People with dark skin may observe the onset of Vitiligo at any time. Individuals who have severe cases will lose pigment over their entire body surface.