Vitiligo

Vitiligo is the result of the loss of skin pigmentation. (Read about "Skin") The impact is white patchy spots on the affected part of the body. It can happen anywhere on the body. The patches can spread to other parts of the body. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says one to two percent of the population has vitiligo. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) says 2 to 5 million people in the United States have this condition.

The exact cause is unknown but for some reason the pigment producing cells of the skin, called melanocytes, stop producing and are destroyed. NIAMS says people with certain diseases such as hyperthyroidism or alopecia areata (Read about "Thyroid" "Alopecia Areata"), seem to get vitiligo more often. NIAMS also says there may be a genetic link (Read about "Genetics") since children of people with vitiligo are more likely to have it as well. (Read about "Family Health History") People who develop vitiligo usually first notice white patches (depigmentation) on their skin. These patches are more common in sun-exposed areas, including the hands, feet, arms, 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.

Vitiligo generally appears in one of three patterns:

• Focal pattern - In focal pattern, the depigmentation is limited to one or only a few areas
• Segmental pattern - Some people develop depigmented patches on only one side of their bodies, what's called segmental pattern.
• Generalized pattern - For most people who have vitiligo, depigmentation occurs on different parts of the body (generalized pattern).

In addition to white patches on the skin, people with vitiligo may have premature graying of the scalp hair, eyelashes, eyebrows and beard. People with dark skin may notice a loss of color inside their mouths.

Treatment options

AAD says sometimes no treatment is needed. Treatments, when they are called for, usually deal with the cosmetic aspects of the condition. NIAMS says treatment options include:

• topical steroid therapy
• skin grafts (Read about "Plastic Surgery")
• skin tattooing

Cosmetics can help to cover the patches and blend them into the rest of the skin. The National Vitiligo Foundations says counseling and support groups can also help.

There is no way to predict if vitiligo will spread. For some people, the depigmented patches do not spread. The disorder is usually progressive however, and over time, the white patches will spread to other areas of the body. For some people, vitiligo spreads slowly, over many years. For other people, spreading occurs rapidly. Some people have reported additional depigmentation following periods of physical or emotional stress. (Read about "Stress")