Symptoms of vitiligo

Vitiligo usually starts with pale patches of skin that gradually turn white. The center of a patch may be white, with paler skin around it, the edges of the patch may be smooth or irregular.

This condition varies from person to person. Some patients may develop only a few white patches, while others may experience larger patches that cover extensive areas of skin. Additionally, the lack of pigment in the affected areas can cause the hair turn to white or gray.1-3

Common areas of skin affected by vitiligo include:1-3

Hands

Feet

Arms

Face

Mucous membranes

There are two main types of vitiligo, non-segmental and segmental vitiligo, with non-segmental vitiligo being the most common type. In non-segmental vitiligo, symptoms usually appear symmetrically on both sides of the body, with patches that may appear on the backs of hands, arms, knees and feet. 2

Causes of vitiligo

Normal skin color is determined by melanin produced by skin cells known as melanocytes. In vitiligo, a deficiency of functional melanocytes leads to insufficient melanin, resulting in white patches on the skin. Researchers continuously investigating the influence of family history and genetics on the causes of vitiligo.1-3

Autoimmune conditions:

In autoimmune conditions, the immune system malfunctions and mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy cells and tissues. Non-segmental vitiligo, which is the most prevalent type, is thought to be an autoimmune disorder.1,2

Triggers include:2,3

Stress

Skin damage (such as severe sunburn)

Exposure to certain chemicals

References:

1.Vitiligo [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12419-vitiligo Accessed January 2025.

2. Vitiligo [Internet]. NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitiligo/ Accessed January 2025.

3. Vitiligo Symptoms [Internet]. Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vitiligo/symptoms-causes/syc-20355912 Accessed January 2025.