It is a skin disease characterized by loss of pigment (color) from areas of skin, resulting in irregular white patches that feel like normal skin.

Causes, incidence and risk factors

It appears that vitiligo is an acquired disease and can occur at any age. There is an increasing proportion of this condition in some families.

The cause of vitiligo, but it is thought that autoimmunity could be a factor. This condition is associated with three systemic diseases:

* Pernicious Anemia
* Hypothyroidism
* Addison’s Disease

The disease affects about 1% of the population of the United States.

Symptoms

Vitiligo is more noticeable in darker skinned people because of the contrast of white patches against dark skin

There is a sudden or gradual appearance of flat areas of normal-feeling skin with complete pigment loss. Lesions appear as flat areas with no pigment and darker edge, as margins are sharply defined but irregular.

Frequently affected areas are the face, elbows, knees, hands, feet and genitals.

Exams and Tests

Generally, the physical examination is sufficient to confirm the diagnosis. In some cases, may require a skin biopsy to rule out other possible causes of loss of pigmentation. The doctor may also order blood tests to check levels of thyroid hormone or other hormones, like vitamin B12 levels.

Treatment

Vitiligo is difficult to treat in the initial treatment options include:

* Phototherapy (exposure to intense ultraviolet light and controlled in a clinic or hospital)
* Oral medications such as trimethylpsoralen (Trisoralen)
* Medicines applied to the skin such as:
- corticosteroid creams
- immunosuppressant such as pimecrolimus (Elidel) and tacrolimus (Protopic)
- Repigmenting agents such as methoxsalen (Oxsoralen)

You can make skin grafts or skin removed from normal areas and placed into areas of pigment loss.

Several manufacturers produce cover-up makeup or skin dyes to mask vitiligo. Ask your doctor for the names of these companies.

In extreme cases, when most of the body is affected, the remaining pigmented skin may be pigmented. This is a permanent change and is a last resort.

It is important to remember that skin pigment is extremely susceptible to the harmful effects of the sun. Be sure to apply a high SPF sunblock and use appropriate safeguards against sun exposure.