> Vitiligo

• Symptoms & Characteristics
• Treatment
• How Common Is It?
• Genetics & Inheritance
• Genetic Testing
• Support & More Information
• Alternative Names

Last Reviewed June 2, 2009

Symptoms & Characteristics

Vitiligo occurs when the cells that give skin its color (called melanocytes) are destroyed causing white patches on the skin. Vitiligo can also affect the eyes, mouth, and nose as well as cause hair to prematurely grey. The white patches are more common in places where the skin is exposed to the sun, and in some cases, the patches spread.

Treatment

Treatment for vitiligo may include medicines, light therapy and surgery. Sunscreen is recommended and cosmetics may help skin appearance.

How Common Is It?

About 2 million Americans are believed to be affected with vitiligo.

Genetics & Inheritance

The cause of vitiligo is largely unknown. Vitiligo is most likely a multifactorial condition, which means it involves a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors.

• Many environmental factors have been proposed to possibly contribute to vitiligo. Some of these factors include severe sunburn, being pregnanct, surgery, certain chemical agents, physical injury, illness and emotional stress. The exact associations are unclear and unproven.

• Some researchers believe that vitiligo is an autoimmune condition, while others do not. Nevertheless, having certain autoimmune conditions increases the risk to develop vitiligo and having vitiligo may increase the risk to develop certain autoimmune disorders. The majority of people with vitiligo, however, are in good health.

• Other conditions, like baldness (alopecia) and diabetes have also been linked to vitiligo.

We know that some cases of vitiligo run in families. About 30% of affected people have at least one other affected family member. Researchers believe that there are probably a number of genes that affect the development and symptoms of vitiligo.

• Researchers have identified that certain variations in multiple genes can increase a person's risk (or susceptibility) to develop vitiligo.

• Other yet to be identified or adequately classified genes may also contribute to vitiligo.

Genetic Testing

Clinical genetic testing for susceptibility to vitiligo is currently unavailable. For more information on the genetics of vitiligo, accurate diagnosis, and recurrence risk; use our find a genetic professional directory to locate a trained genetic professional in your area.

• A medical geneticist can also be found at the American College of Medical Genetics website.

• A genetic counselor can also be found at the National Society of Genetic Counselors website.

Support & More Information

• MedlinePlus

• National Vitiligo Foundation
• Vitiligo Support International

Alternative Names

• white spot disease
• leukoderma