::... DERMATOLOGY - Vitiligo

Vitiligo is appearance of white patches on skin. The colour of skin is due to presence of a brown coloured substance(or pigment) called Melanin. Melanin is present in the cells called Melanocytes of skin. Vitiligo is a condition in which some areas of skin lose melanin and so become white. Following are the most common sites of vitiligo.


The patches slowly change their size and skin around them becomes darker than normal. Vitiligo can start at any age but most of the patients get it before age 20 years.

No , vitiligo is not a contagious disorder. There is no harm if one touches the skin with vitiligo.

Yes, there is a possibility of genetic predisposition with vitiligo.

Vitiligo does not occur as a curse of god. The scientific reason is , there is automatic production of antibodies against melanocytes and this results in destruction of melanocytes in some areas of skin.

Vitiligo occasionally goes away by itself. Treatment with drugs like Trioxsalen, Methoxsalen helps bring the skin colour back , which may last for a year or two. Complete cure is not guranteed. Any treatment is advised to be taken under doctor’s supervision.

• Avoid exposure of such skin to sunlight as the skin may burn since there is no melanin to protect skin from sunlight.
• Use sunscreens and protective clothing
• Consult the doctor, preferably a skin specialist for treatment and for precautions to be taken.

Yes, why not ? Vitiligo is just the colour change in some areas of skin, which can be brought back with treatment. Only the person needs to take care of skin with vitiligo as stated earlier. Life of a person with vitiligo is as normal as others.