Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in the human skin. The human skin
contains special skin cells (melanocytes) that produce the pigment
melanin which colors the skin.
In Vitiligo, the special skin cells (melanocytes) as well as the
tissues (mucous membranes) that line the inside of the mouth, nose,
genital and rectal areas, and the retina of the eyes are destroyed.
As a result, white patches of skin appear on different parts of the
body. The hair may also turn white that grows in areas affected by
vitiligo.

What causes vitiligo?

There are several theories regarding the cause of vitiligo but the
actual cause is not fully known. According to one theory, people with
vitiligo develop antibodies that, turn upon them and destroy their
own melanocytes instead of protecting them. There is another theory
according to which the melanocytes somehow attack and destroy
themselves. Finally, some people with vitligo have reported that a
single event such as severe sunburn or an episode of emotional
distress is the main cause of this order. Scientifically, events of
this nature have not been accepted as the main cause of vitiligo.
These are merely coincidences.

Who is affected by vitiligo?

The number of people affected by vitiligo disorder ranges from 40-50
million. It forms about 1 to 2% of people in the world. 2 to 5
million people have the disorder in the United States alone. Vitiligo
affects all races and both sexes equally and ninety-five percent of
its victims are below the age of 40.

What is the association of vitiligo with autoimmune disease?

In Autoimmune diseases, a person's immune system reacts against the
body's own organs or tissues. Vitiligo is found to be more common in
people with certain autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases that are
associated with vitiligo include: hyperthyroidism (over activity of
the thyroid gland), adrenocortical insufficiency (the adrenal gland
does not produce enough of the hormone corticosteroid), alopecia
areata (patches of baldness), and pernicious anemia (a low level of
red blood cells caused by the failure of the body to absorb vitamin
B12).

Is vitiligo inherited?

Vitiligo may be hereditary in some cases. Children of vitiligo
affected parents are more likely to develop vitiligo disorder.
However, most children will not get vitilgo even if a parent has it.
Also most people with vitiligo do not have a family history of the
disorder. Large number of inherited disorders are associated with
vitiligo. They include: albinism of the ocular type, autoimmune
polyendocrinopathy syndrome, congenital deafness with vitilego and
achalasia, dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria, ermine phenotype,
familial histiocyctic reticulosis, kabuki syndrome, and the syndrome
of spastic paraparesis, vitiligo, premature graying and
characteristic facies.