Vitiligo is a benign, non-contagious skin condition that affects 0.5% to 2% of the population. Vitiligo can occur at any age although ½ of cases are diagnosed in individuals under 20 years old. Melanin is the pigment that determines color of the skin, hair, and eyes. Vitiligo occurs when the cells responsible for skin pigmentation, called melanocytes, fail to function properly. This causes areas of skin depigmentation of varying sizes that often appear as white spots or patches on an individual’s body.
What is wrong with the melanocytes?
The exact cause of vitiligo is unknown – possible causes include an autoimmune attack on melanocytes, decreased survival of melanocytes, general melanocytic defects, and direct physical injury. When melanocytes fail to function properly in a vitiligo patch, they do not make as much melanin as the healthier melanocytes in unaffected skin areas. This results in a white, or comparatively lighter, spot or patch on the skin. Additionally, 25% to 30% of cases of vitiligo may run in families. Other autoimmune conditions may also be related:
What are some associated autoimmune conditions?
- Hyperthyroidism
- Graves’ disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Alopecia areata
- Addison’s disease
- Diabetes mellitus
- Pernicious anemia
Signs & Symptoms of Vitiligo:
Vitiligo is usually symmetric and bilateral on the body (for example: in the same place on both hands) with sharp outlines around spots and patches. Skin depigmentation may involve a few spots or the entire body – although, it is most commonly found in sun-exposed areas and on the face, fingers and toes, tops of the hands and feet, wrists, elbows, knees, shins, armpits, groin area, and bellybutton. Any hair growing in the spots can turn white in color (called leukotrichia) due to the loss of melanin.
© 2001-2009, Dermatlas
8-year-old boy with asymptomatic, sharply defined patches of hypopigmentation over his face, upper back, chest, arms, and legs.
© 2001-2009, Dermatlas
75-year-old healthy male with bilateral, symmetric patches of hypopigmentation located on both hands.
© 2001-2009, Dermatlas
35-year-old male with asymptomatic, sharply defined patches of hypopigmentation on both feet since 20 years of age.
© 2001-2009, Dermatlas
35-year-old healthy male with patches of depigmentation on both shins and spots of hypopigmentation on both hands.
© 2001-2009, Dermatlas
19-year-old female with patches of depigmentation and areas of hypopigmentation on her head and neck.
Usually vitiligo is asymptomatic – meaning that it does not cause physical irritation or discomfort to the individual. It cannot be “spread” from person to person (in other words, it is not contagious). However, depigmented spots can progressively grow, shrink, or stay the same size and it is very difficult to predict how each spot with change over time.
Did Michael Jackson have vitiligo?
Yes. Although patient confidentiality has prevented his dermatologist from specifically admitting to his condition, the King of Pop was diagnosed with vitiligo in 1986. During an interview with Oprah Winfrey on February 10th 1993, Michael Jackson admitted to having vitiligo and denied rumors that he had bleached his skin. It is speculated that Michael Jackson wore gloves and lipstick to cover up the white patches appearing on his hands and face and eventually chose a depigmentation procedure to even out his skin tone.
References:
Vitiligo: Pigmentation Disorders. The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals, Oct. 2008. Web.
Vitiligo. MDconsult, 2009. Web. www.mdconsult.com