Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that results in flat areas of pigment loss. Fingers are a common location.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that results in flat areas of pigment loss. Fingers are a common location.
This image displays areas of complete absence of skin pigment typical of vitiligo.
This image displays areas of complete absence of skin pigment typical of vitiligo.
This image displays lightening of the skin due to vitiligo, with pigment beginning to return around each hair follicle.
This image displays lightening of the skin due to vitiligo, with pigment beginning to return around each hair follicle.
This image displays the tops of feet affected with vitiligo.
This image displays the tops of feet affected with vitiligo.
While the pigment loss from vitiligo is often subtle in lighter-skinned people, the loss of pigment from hairs in the eyelash area here accentuates the color loss.
While the pigment loss from vitiligo is often subtle in lighter-skinned people, the loss of pigment from hairs in the eyelash area here accentuates the color loss.
This image displays lighter skin with fairly sharp edges on the face typical of vitiligo.
This image displays lighter skin with fairly sharp edges on the face typical of vitiligo.
In people with darker skin, the pigment loss in vitiligo is easily apparent.
In people with darker skin, the pigment loss in vitiligo is easily apparent.
The fingers are a frequent skin location for patches of vitiligo.
The fingers are a frequent skin location for patches of vitiligo.

Graphic content

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 The white areas of pigment loss in vitiligo are easily seen in darker-skinned individuals; the genital area is commonly affected.
The white areas of pigment loss in vitiligo are easily seen in darker-skinned individuals; the genital area is commonly affected.

Graphic content

Please click to view.

 The circular areas of pigment loss in vitiligo are common in the genital region.
The circular areas of pigment loss in vitiligo are common in the genital region.
This image displays islands of normal skin within the white skin affected by vitiligo.
This image displays islands of normal skin within the white skin affected by vitiligo.

Images of Vitiligo (11)

Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that results in flat areas of pigment loss. Fingers are a common location.
This image displays areas of complete absence of skin pigment typical of vitiligo.
This image displays lightening of the skin due to vitiligo, with pigment beginning to return around each hair follicle.
This image displays the tops of feet affected with vitiligo.
While the pigment loss from vitiligo is often subtle in lighter-skinned people, the loss of pigment from hairs in the eyelash area here accentuates the color loss.
This image displays lighter skin with fairly sharp edges on the face typical of vitiligo.
In people with darker skin, the pigment loss in vitiligo is easily apparent.
The fingers are a frequent skin location for patches of vitiligo.

Graphic content

 The white areas of pigment loss in vitiligo are easily seen in darker-skinned individuals; the genital area is commonly affected.

Graphic content

 The circular areas of pigment loss in vitiligo are common in the genital region.
This image displays islands of normal skin within the white skin affected by vitiligo.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a condition caused by the immune system turning against itself (an autoimmune disease). Immune cells of the body attack the color-producing (pigment-producing) cells in the skin, which leads to the formation of white (depigmented) patches that are often much larger than a thumbnail. In darker skin colors, the contrast between the normal pigmented skin and depigmented areas is greater than in lighter skin colors.

It may be seen with other autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disease, alopecia areata, diabetes mellitus, Addison disease, and myasthenia gravis.

The way that vitiligo progresses varies greatly; it may remain in the area where it started (localized) or it may become more widespread.



Who's At Risk?

Vitiligo may start at any age but usually begins between the ages of 2 and 40. All races / ethnicities may be affected. Despite a common belief, vitiligo is not more common in Black individuals; however, the contrast between affected and normal skin is more obvious and potentially more cosmetically bothersome in individuals with darker skin.

Signs & Symptoms

Vitiligo may affect areas prone to chronic minor injury, such as the fingers, knuckles, and elbows. It may also affect the face, upper chest, hands, underarms, and groin. It may be widespread, affecting both sides of the body (generalized); it may affect only one side of the body (segmental); or it may affect only one localized area (focal).

Sharply defined white patches are seen. If the affected area contains hair, the hair may turn white.

Sometimes halo nevi can be seen, which is a mole surrounded by a circular white patch, resembling a halo.

Self-Care Guidelines

It is important to protect your child’s skin from the sun, particularly the affected areas:

  • Avoid exposure to midday sun (10 AM to 3 PM).
  • Wear a broad-spectrum, high sun protection factor (SPF higher than 30) sunscreen.
  • Wear protective clothing and hats.

Dermablend or Covermark cosmetic cover-up makeups can hide the white patches.

Treatments

The doctor may recommend:

  • Topical steroid creams or ointments to help restore skin color. Use these with caution because of the risk of tissue damage (atrophy) with prolonged use, particularly on the face and skin fold areas.
  • Topical nonsteroid medications, such as ruxolitinib (Opzelura) cream (age 12 and older), tacrolimus (Protopic) ointment, and pimecrolimus (Elidel) cream.
  • Ultraviolet (UV) light therapy or laser therapy.
  • Superficial skin grafts, especially in hard-to-treat (recalcitrant) locations, such as over joints.

Visit Urgency

It is not necessary to treat vitiligo, but see your child’s doctor for evaluation if it becomes bothersome or if it is progressing.

Trusted Links

References

Bolognia J, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018.

James WD, Elston D, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA. Andrew’s Diseases of the Skin. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019.

Kang S, Amagai M, Bruckner AL, et al. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology. 9th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education; 2019.

Paller A, Mancini A. Paller and Mancini: Hurwitz Clinical Pediatric Dermatology. 6th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022.

Last modified on February 27th, 2023 at 3:35 pm

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