Vitiligo

Common acquired multi-factorial skin disease exhibiting progressive depigmentation of the epidermis in circumscribed areas, typically without erythema or scaling.

Multiple auto-immune disorders may be associated with vitiligo, most commonly auto-immune thyroiditis.

In light-skinned people and in sun-protected areas, Wood's lamp examination helps with diagnosis and evaluation of extent of disease.

Presents typically as round, depigmented macules and patches that slowly enlarge, most often in a symmetrical distribution, and with a particular affinity to periorificial and acral skin. Hair in affected areas may be white, particularly in areas of long-standing disease.

When repigmentation occurs, it typically occurs in a perifollicular pattern.

While there are no licensed treatments to induce repigmentation, treatments such as UV-B light, topical immunosuppressants, and combination approaches using phototherapy can provide significant improvement in most cases.

Vitiligo is an acquired loss of melanocytes in circumscribed areas of the epidermis, resulting in complete depigmentation of affected skin. The extent of the disease ranges from limited, focal disease to almost complete (universal) pigment loss.