In short
Vitiligo causes white patches on your skin.
What it is1
Vitiligo is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color.
National Institutes of Health
Worth knowing3
In vitiligo, the white patches usually appear symmetrically on both sides of your body, such as on both hands or both knees.
National Institutes of HealthAnyone can get vitiligo, and it can develop at any age.
National Institutes of HealthThe white patches are more common where your skin is exposed to the sun.
MedlinePlus
What helps3
Although there is no cure for vitiligo, treatments can be very effective at stopping the progression and reversing its effects, which may help skin tone appear more even.
National Institutes of HealthProtect your skin from the sun: use sunscreen and wear clothes to help protect it from sunburn and long-term damage.
National Institutes of HealthCosmetics, such as self-tanning lotions or dyes, can cover depigmented patches of skin.
National Institutes of Health
See a provider if2
Look for a doctor who has experience treating vitiligo.
National Institutes of HealthLiving with vitiligo can be hard, and it can affect how you feel about your appearance. Advice and help from a mental health professional can help you cope.
National Institutes of Health
Sources
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine: Vitiligo
- National Institutes of Health (NIAMS): Vitiligo
- National Institutes of Health (NIAMS): Vitiligo
These pages describe what the sources say. They cannot say what is going on with your skin.
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