In case you have never taken the time to even google what vitiligo is, don’t worry. We got you! Here are some fast facts.

Vitiligo (vit-ill-EYE-go) is a disorder in which white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. This happens because the cells that make pigment (color) in the skin are destroyed.

Curtis McDaniel

The cause is not known but it may be an autoimmune disease.

The total area of skin that can be affected by vitiligo varies greatly from individual to individual. Vitiligo can also affect the eyes, inside of mouth and hair. In the majority of cases, the affected areas remain discolored for the rest of the person’s life.

Many people develop it in their twenties, but it can occur at any age. The disorder affects all races and both sexes equally, however, it is more noticeable in people with dark skin.

There is no way to tell if vitiligo will spread. For some people, the white patches do not spread. But often the white patches will spread to other areas of the body. For some people, vitiligo spreads slowly, over many years. For other people, spreading occurs quickly. Some people have reported more white patches after physical or emotional stress.

April Star

Current treatment options for vitiligo include medical, surgical, and other treatments. Most treatments are aimed at restoring color to the white patches of skin.

For more information visit: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/vitiligo/vitiligo_ff.asp