Health Conditions A-Z Skin, Hair & Nail Conditions Vitiligo What Is Vitiligo? By Mark Gurarie Mark Gurarie Mark Gurarie is a freelance writer covering health topics, technology, music, books, and culture. He also teaches health science and research writing at George Washington University's School of Medical and Health Sciences. health's editorial guidelines Updated on April 26, 2024 Medically reviewed by Brendan Camp, MD Medically reviewed by Brendan Camp, MD Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, is a double board-certified dermatologist. learn more In This Article View All In This Article Types Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatments Prevention Related Conditions Living With Vitiligo Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disorder that causes symptoms like loss of skin color in patches and skin that sunburns easily. Symptoms usually affect the skin but can involve the hair, ears, eyes, and mental health. Patches can arise anywhere on the body and tend to grow over time. What your patches look like and where they are located depends on the type of vitiligo. Researchers do not know the exact cause of vitiligo. Melanocytes, or skin cells that produce skin color (pigment), stop functioning. This loss of function causes you to lose skin color. There's no cure for vitiligo, but a combination of treatments and preventative measures can slow it from progressing. About 0.5% and 2% of people have vitiligo. This skin condition can affect anyone. Patches tend to be more noticeable in people with darker skin tones. Read on to learn about vitiligo, including types, causes, symptoms, and more. Types of Vitiligo There are different types of vitiligo: segmental and non-segmental vitiligo. Segmental vitiligo causes patches on one side of the body. Non-segmental vitiligo, in contrast, causes patches all over the body. Vitiligo is further broken down into various subtypes, including: Acrofacial: Tends to occur first on the fingertips and mouth before spreading to other body parts Focal: One small, isolated patch of vitiligo that has not spread or gotten bigger for at least one year Generalized: Appears on any part of the skin, usually in a symmetrical pattern on both sides of the body Mixed: Occurs when you have both segmental and non-segmental types of vitiligo at the same type Mucosal: Affects the mucous membranes (soft tissues that produce mucus) and appears near the mouth and genitalsUniversal: Starts as generalized vitiligo but eventually covers 80% to 90% of the skin Unisegmental (monosegmental vitiligo): Patches group together on one side of the body Signs and Symptoms of Vitiligo Causes of White Spots on Your Skin 5 Possible Causes of Vitiligo—Patches of White or Discolored Skin What Causes Vitiligo? Vitiligo Symptoms Vitiligo is a progressive skin disorder that can worsen over time. Most people with vitiligo have milky white patches on their skin. Vitiligo can also affect the hair, ears, and eyes. Vitiligo symptoms vary based on the type you have but generally include: Changes in eye color Hearing loss Itching Prematurely white or gray hair Skin that easily sunburns Spots and patches of white skin, which are often more noticeable in people with darker skin tones rparobe / Getty Images What Causes Vitiligo? The pigment on your skin comes from a substance called melanin. Skin cells called melanocytes produce melanin. Your genetics determine how much melanin you have. The more melanin you have, the darker your skin, hair, and eyes typically are. Melanocytes stop functioning properly in people with vitiligo. This loss of function causes you to lose skin pigmentation. It's not clear what causes this dysfunction. Some evidence suggests vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to attack healthy skin cells. Research has shown that oxidative stress can trigger vitiligo. Oxidative stress occurs when your body is not able to remove naturally produced toxins. Research is ongoing to understand the exact cause of the condition and what can trigger the onset of symptoms. How Is Vitiligo Diagnosed? How Is Vitiligo Treated? How To Prevent Vitiligo 15 Common Skin Diseases in Adults: Images and Treatments Risk Factors Some factors can increase your risk of vitiligo. Risk factors include: Being exposed to environmental triggers (e.g., sunburn, skin injury, or certain toxins and chemicals) Experiencing emotional or physical stress Having a family history of vitiligo Receiving a diagnosis for other autoimmune disorders (e.g., psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, or type 1 diabetes) How Is Vitiligo Diagnosed? A dermatologist will collect your medical history, perform a physical exam, and use diagnostic tests like a skin biopsy to diagnose vitiligo. This healthcare provider specializes in the skin, hair, and nails. Other skin conditions can look like vitiligo. The most common include nevus depigmentosus and idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis. Nevus depigmentosus causes white skin patches that appear at birth. Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis causes small, depigmented patches on sun-exposed skin. Diagnostic tests that help diagnose vitiligo and rule out these skin conditions include: Blood test: A healthcare provider may take a sample of your blood to test for related conditions. Skin biopsy: This procedure removes a skin sample, which is not usually needed but can help rule out other causes. Wood's lamp: A healthcare provider may use an ultraviolet (UV) device called a Wood's lamp if your symptoms are hard to diagnose. A Wood's lamp can help them look for patches. Treatments for Vitiligo No cure for vitiligo exists, so treatment aims to help prevent further loss of skin color. You and a healthcare provider will create a treatment plan that's best for you. Options may include medications, phototherapy, and surgery. Medications A healthcare provider may prescribe one or more medications, including: Glucocorticoids: Oral medications, such as Rayos (prednisone) or Decadron (dexamethasone), can slow the spread of vitiligo. Immunosuppressants: Drugs like Otrexup (methotrexate) or Sandimmune (cyclosporine) can reduce immune system activity. Topical calcineurin inhibitors: Ointments, such as Prograf (tacrolimus) and Elidel (pimecrolimus), treat small and delicate areas of your body, like the face and genitals. Topical corticosteroids: These are creams you put directly on your skin, such as Elocon (mometasone furoate) or Dermovate (clobetasol). Topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors: Opzelura (ruxolitinib) cream can be used in people aged 12 and older. Phototherapy Phototherapy (light therapy) uses UV light to slow the progression of vitiligo. There are several types of light therapy, such as: Narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB): Uses UVB light on large patches Psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA): Involves a combination of using UVA light and taking a light-sensitive drug that absorbs UV light, or psoralen Targeted phototherapy: Typically uses a laser to target small patches You can either attend light therapy sessions at a healthcare provider's office or do light therapy at home. This depends on the severity of your symptoms and what your health insurance covers. Surgery A healthcare provider may advise surgery if you are not responding to other treatments. Surgery can introduce healthy skin tissue to your body. Options may include various types of surgical grafts, or procedures that move tissue from one part of the body to another part of the body. Surgical grafts include: Cellular graft: Involves transplanting melanocytes to areas with patchesHair follicle graft: Takes hair follicles and places them on patches Tissue graft: Uses pigmented skin from your thigh or buttocks to transplant it to body parts with patches Depigmentation A healthcare provider may suggest depigmentation if you have extensive vitiligo. Although rare, extensive vitiligo causes patches on the majority of your skin. Depigmentation uses chemical agents to take away your original skin color from areas that do not have patches to even your skin tone and overall appearance. Sun exposure can trigger pigment to reoccur after treatment. It's important to practice sun protection and avoid exposure as much as possible after depigmentation. Sun protection includes using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, wearing long-sleeved clothing or layers, and staying in the shade on sunny days. Keep in mind that this treatment is generally not recommended unless you have severe symptoms. Depigmentation is also not widely available in all areas. How To Prevent Vitiligo There is no way to prevent the onset of vitiligo. Being proactive about seeking care and making certain lifestyle changes can prevent further loss of skin color. Here are some steps you can take to slow disease progression: Avoiding foods that can cause inflammation (e.g., fried foods, processed meats, white bread or pasta, sugary drinks, and alcohol) Eating anti-inflammatory foods (e.g., leafy green vegetables, yogurt, fatty fish, eggs, berries, and nuts) Limiting sun exposure Practicing sun protection Taking medications as they are prescribed Related Conditions You are more likely to develop several conditions if you have vitiligo. Nearly one in five people with vitiligo have another autoimmune disorder. The most common related conditions include: Alopecia areata: Causes sudden hair loss on the scalp and face Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which cause pain and inflammation of the digestive tract Psoriasis: Causes discolored and inflamed patches of skin Rheumatoid arthritis: Causes pain and swelling of the joints Thyroid disorders: Includes hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) Type 1 diabetes: Makes it difficult for the body to produce insulin, a hormone that moves glucose (sugar) into cells Living With Vitiligo Vitiligo is not a dangerous or fatal condition, but it can significantly affect your quality of life. The skin condition affects your appearance. Many people with vitiligo may feel embarrassment or shame. You may develop depressive moods, anxious thoughts, and a fear of social situations to avoid stigma. It's important to reach out to a healthcare provider if you have vitiligo. There's no cure for vitiligo, but getting an early diagnosis and treatment can prevent further loss of skin color. A healthcare provider can help create a treatment plan that meets your needs. They can also refer you to a mental healthcare provider if you are looking for counseling and emotional support. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 12 Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Vitiligo. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Vitiligo: Causes. Picardo M, Dell'Anna ML, Ezzedine K, et al. Vitiligo. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2015;1:15011. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2015.11 Grimes PE. Vitiligo: Pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis. In: Tsao H, Alexis AF, Corona R, eds. 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