Vitiligo

Summary

Vitiligo causes white patches on your skin. It can also affect your eyes, mouth, and nose. It occurs when the cells that give your skin its color are destroyed. No one knows what destroys them. It is more common in people with autoimmune diseases, and it might run in families. It usually starts before age 40.

The white patches are more common where your skin is exposed to the sun. In some cases, the patches spread. Vitiligo can cause your hair to gray early. If you have dark skin, you may lose color inside your mouth.

Using sunscreen will help protect your skin, and cosmetics can cover up the patches. Treatments for vitiligo include medicines, light therapy, and surgery. Not every treatment is right for everyone. Many have side effects. Some take a long time. Some do not always work.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• A Visual Guide to 6 Conditions that Cause Skin Discoloration
• Finding Self-Confidence with Vitiligo
• Vitiligo: What You Need to Know

Find an Expert

• American Academy of Dermatology American Academy of Dermatology
• American Society for Dermatologic Surgery American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
• Find a Dermatologic Surgeon American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
• Find a Dermatologist American Academy of Dermatology
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Vitiligo National Institutes of Health

Treatments and Therapies

• Micropigmentation for Vitiligo American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

Start Here

• Patchy Skin: Vitiligo Explained National Institutes of Health
• Vitiligo National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
• Vitiligo Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Vitiligo American Osteopathic College of Dermatology

Journal Articles

• Vitiligo

Teenagers

• Vitiligo Nemours Foundation

Patient Handouts

• Vitiligo Medical Encyclopedia

Images

• Vitiligo VisualDX

Children

• Vitiligo (For Parents) Nemours Foundation

Genetics

• Vitiligo: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine