Vitiligo
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As always, you can contact our office to answer any questions or concerns.
Educational Links
- American Academy of Dermatology
- Society for Pediatric Dermatology
- Nevus Outreach Foundation
- National Alopecia Areata Foundation
- National Vitiligo Foundation
- FIRST - Foundation for ichthyosis and related skin types
- National Eczema Association
- Hemangioma and Vascular Birthmark Foundation
- National Psoriasis Foundation
Vitiligo refers to the development of white patches anywhere on the skin. With this condition, pigment-forming cells (known as melanocytes) are destroyed by the immune system causing the loss of pigmentation in the skin. Vitiligo usually develops between the ages of 10 and 40. It affects both men and women and appears to be hereditary.
Vitiligo usually affects areas of skin that have been exposed to sun. It also appears in body folds, near moles or at the site of previous skin injury. The condition is permanent and there is no known cure or prevention. However, there are some treatments that can be used to improve the appearance of the skin, such as steroid creams and ultraviolet light therapy.