Vitiligo

What is vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a skin disease that causes loss of skin colour in patches. The loss of skin colour occurs when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) are destroyed and melanin (pigment) cannot be produced. Vitiligo is not contagious.

Depending on the type of vitiligo you have, the white patches may appear as one of the following:

• Nearly all skin surfaces. Known as vitiligo universalis, the discoloration affects nearly all skin surfaces.
• Many parts of your body. In generalized vitiligo, the white patches are often symmetrical on both sides of the body.
• On one area of your body. This is known as segmental vitiligo.
• One or only a few areas of your body.
• The face and hands. Known as acrofacial vitiligo.

What are the causes of vitiligo?

Although the exact cause of vitiligo is not known, it is thought to be an autoimmune disorder and may be associated with other disorders of the immune system (autoimmune condition) e.g. thyroid disease. In some patients, there may be other family members who also have vitiligo. Sometimes, environmental triggers, such as stress, severe sunburn or skin trauma may mark the onset of vitiligo in patients.