It is a pigmentation disorder of the skin in which the melanocytes, retina and the mucuous membrane are destroyed. This causes white patches to appear on different areas of the body and the hair which grow in vitiligo affected areas turn white. Around one to two percent of the world`s population has vitiligo and this disorder affects people of all races and sexes equally. It is more commonly found in people suffering from certain autoimmune diseases. It could also be genetic and run in families. Chances are that children whose parents are suffering from vitiligo have a greater chance of suffering from this condition.

This disease can have a psychological effect on the patient and this is particularly true in case of dark skinned people. In some communities there is a stigma attached to this disease. People suffering from this disease might feel depressed because of the stigma attached to it or the appearance might change dramatically. Half of the patients of this disease develop signs of the disorder before the age of twenty and patches of de-pigmented skin appear on the extremities. The patches might grow or remain constant in size.

Cause

The cause of this disease is unknown.

Symptoms

It results in the formation of white patches on the skin. The patches commonly occur in sun exposed areas such as arms, hands, feet, face and lips. Other areas where the patches appear are the groin and armpits and around the eyes, mouth, navel, nostrils and genitals. It appears in one of the three patterns: focal pattern, generalized pattern and segmental pattern. Besides white patches of the skin, it might result in premature graying of scalp hair, eyebrows, beard and eyelashes. People who have a dark skin might notice a loss of color inside their mouths.

Treatment

The purpose of the treatment is to restore the function of the skin and improve the appearance of the patient. The treatment of vitiligo lasts from six months to eighteen months. The choice of treatment depends upon the number of white patches, how widespread they are and the preference of the patient for treatment.

The type of therapy id dependant on the number of white patches, how widespread the patches are and it also depends upon the patient’s preference for treatment. Every patient’s response to the treatment is different and a particular treatment might not work for everyone. The treatment options which are available currently include surgical and adjunctive therapies along with medical treatment.