Last Updated: February 12, 2023

Clinical Dermatology

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a disease that causes areas of skin to lose color, resulting in spots and patches of lighter color. Some people develop a few spots. Others have a more widespread color loss.

Causes

  • Lack of a pigment called melanin in the skin
  • Melanin is produced by skin cells called melanocytes, and it gives your skin its color
  • In vitiligo, there are not enough working melanocytes to produce enough melanin in your skin.

Indications

  • Patches turn white
  • Lighter patches inside your mouth or nose
  • Patches and spots of sunburn easily
  • Hair turns white or gray
  • The Eyelash, eyebrow, or section of hair on the scalp turns white

Treatments

Vitiligo