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.
In fair skin patients, vitiligo can be subtle. The total loss of pigment cells make these patients high risk for sunburn within the affected areas.
In fair skin patients, vitiligo can be subtle. The total loss of pigment cells make these patients high risk for sunburn within the affected areas.

Graphic content

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 Vitiligo can cause loss of pigment in the female genital region.
Vitiligo can cause loss of pigment in the female genital region.
This image displays one spot of lightened pigment due to vitiligo.
This image displays one spot of lightened pigment due to vitiligo.
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 a patient with vitiligo that affects his beard area and the area around his lips.
This image displays a patient with vitiligo that affects his beard area and the area around his lips.
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.
Light patches of vitiligo are subtle on the arms of a fair-skinned person.
Light patches of vitiligo are subtle on the arms of a fair-skinned person.
The fingers are a frequent skin location for patches of vitiligo.
The fingers are a frequent skin location for patches of vitiligo.

Graphic content

Please click to view.

 Areas of lighter skin are caused by vitiligo.
Areas of lighter skin are caused by vitiligo.
The pigment loss from vitiligo is often subtle in lighter-skinned individuals.
The pigment loss from vitiligo is often subtle in lighter-skinned individuals.

Images of Vitiligo (13)

Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that results in flat areas of pigment loss. Fingers are a common location.
In fair skin patients, vitiligo can be subtle. The total loss of pigment cells make these patients high risk for sunburn within the affected areas.

Graphic content

 Vitiligo can cause loss of pigment in the female genital region.
This image displays one spot of lightened pigment due to vitiligo.
This image displays areas of complete absence of skin pigment typical of vitiligo.
This image displays a patient with vitiligo that affects his beard area and the area around his lips.
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.
Light patches of vitiligo are subtle on the arms of a fair-skinned person.
The fingers are a frequent skin location for patches of vitiligo.

Graphic content

 Areas of lighter skin are caused by vitiligo.
The pigment loss from vitiligo is often subtle in lighter-skinned individuals.

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 lighter skin colors, the difference between the lighter and darker skin can be difficult to see. In darker skin colors, the contrast between the normal pigmented skin and depigmented areas is greater than in lighter skin colors.

Vitiligo 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 colors.

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 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

Your doctor may try any of the following:

  • 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, 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.
  • For very large or widespread lesions, topical chemicals can remove color from (depigment) the normal skin.

Visit Urgency

It is not necessary to treat vitiligo, but seek medical 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 April 3rd, 2023 at 11:26 pm

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