Overview
Vitiligo is a condition in which patches of skin lose their colour and turn white because the cells that make pigment stop working. It is not infectious, not painful and not dangerous, but in India it can carry a heavy social stigma that affects confidence and relationships. Several treatments can slow the spread and help restore colour, and early treatment on the face and body tends to work best.
Symptoms
- Milky-white patches of skin, often on the face, hands and around body openings
- Patches that may slowly enlarge or spread
- Premature whitening of hair on the scalp, eyebrows or beard
- Patches that are usually not itchy or painful
- More noticeable colour loss on sun-exposed skin
When to see a doctor
See a skin doctor early when white patches appear or spread — earlier treatment gives better results.
Causes
An autoimmune process in which the body attacks its own pigment cells, influenced by genes and sometimes triggered by stress or skin injury.