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Vitiligo is a long-term condition where pale white patches develop on the skin. It's caused by the lack of melanin, which is the pigment in skin.Vitiligo can affect any area of skin, but it commonly happens on the face, neck and hands, and in skin creases.The pale areas of skin are more vulnerable to sunburn, so it's important to take extra care when in the sun and use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF).Symptoms of vitiligoThe areas of skin most commonly affected by vitiligo include:mouth and eyesfingers and wristsarmpitsgroingenitalsinside your mouthIt can also sometimes develop where there are hair roots, such as on your scalp. The lack of melanin in your skin can turn the hair in the affected area white or grey.Vitiligo often starts as a pale patch of skin that gradually turns completely white. The centre of a patch may be white, with paler skin around it. If there are blood vessels under the skin, the patch may be slightly pink, rather than white.The edges of the patch may be smooth or irregular. They're sometimes red and inflamed, or there's brownish discolouration (hyperpigmentation).Vitiligo does not cause discomfort to your skin, such as dryness, but the patches may occasionally be itchy.The condition varies from person to person. Some people only get a few small, white patches, but others get bigger white patches that join up across large areas of their skin.There's no way of predicting how much skin will be affected. The white patches are usually permanent.
Types of vitiligoThere are 2 main types of vitiligo:non-segmental vitiligosegmental vitiligoIn rare cases, it's possible for vitiligo to affect your whole body. This is known as universal or complete vitiligo.Non-segmental vitiligoPicture of non-segmental vitiligo on brown skinCredit:In non-segmental vitiligo (also called bilateral or generalised vitiligo), the symptoms often appear on both sides of your body as symmetrical white patches.Symmetrical patches can appear on the:backs of your handsarmsskin around body openings, such as the eyeskneeselbowsfeetNon-segmental vitiligo is the most common type of vitiligo, affecting around 9 in 10 people with the condition.Segmental vitiligoPicture of a woman with segmental vitiligo affecting the faceCredit:In segmental vitiligo (also known as unilateral or localised vitiligo), the white patches only affect one area of your body.Segmental vitiligo is less common than non-segmental vitiligo, although it's more common in children. It usually starts earlier and affects 3 in 10 children with vitiligo.