National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Vitiligo

Not a rare disease Not a rare disease
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Vitiligo is a relatively common pigmentation disorder in which the skin's pigment-making cells (melanocytes) are lost or destroyed. As a result, well-defined white patches appear on the skin. Patches may occur on one section or all over the body and may join together (coalesce).[1] Some people also have loss of pigment in patches of hair on the head or body. Vitiligo tends to continue over time, causing larger areas of skin to lose pigment. It may begin at any age but the average age of onset is in the mid-twenties.[2] Vitiligo does not affect physical health, but concerns about appearance and ethnic identity can lead to serious psychological, social, and emotional difficulties, significantly impacting quality of life.[1][3][2]

The specific cause of vitiligo is not known. Many people with vitiligo also have a personal or family history of autoimmune disease, suggesting that vitiligo has an autoimmune cause. It sometimes "runs in families,"  suggesting that genetics may play a role. People with vitiligo often report that its onset was related to a specific triggering event, such as injury, illness, sunburn, emotional stress, or pregnancy. However, there are currently no data supporting that these factors cause vitiligo.[1]

There is no cure for vitiligo, but available treatments may stop its progression and induce varying degrees of re-pigmentation. Treatment options vary depending on severity and preference and may include topical, systemic, and/or light-based therapies. A combination of therapies is usually more effective than a single therapy. Despite the availability of treatment, the course of the condition and response to treatment are unpredictable.[3]
Last updated: 7/10/2018

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

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Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Autosomal recessive inheritance 0000007
Nevus
Mole
0003764
Vitiligo
Blotchy loss of skin color
0001045
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Last updated: 7/1/2020
Vitiligo sometimes "runs in families," suggesting a genetic basis. However, in these families, the inheritance appears to be multifactorial, involving the interaction between multiple genes and unidentified environmental factors or triggers. This means that it is not possible to predict the chance that other family members might develop vitiligo. About 25% to 50% of people with vitiligo have a relative with vitiligo, and about 6% have siblings with vitiligo.[1]


Last updated: 7/10/2018

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • The Centers for Mendelian Genomics program is working to discover the causes of rare genetic disorders. For more information about applying to the research study, please visit their website.
  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Vitiligo. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Patient Registry

  • The Autoimmune Registry supports research for Vitiligo by collecting information about patients with this and other autoimmune diseases. You can join the registry to share your information with researchers and receive updates about participating in new research studies. Learn more about registries.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Organizations Providing General Support

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The American Academy of Dermatology offers information on Vitiligo
  • DermNet New Zealand is an online resource about skin diseases developed by the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated. DermNet NZ provides information about this condition.
  • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Vitiligo. This website is maintained by the National Library of Medicine.
  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
  • The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research, and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • TeensHealth from Nemours has an information page on Vitiligo. Click on the link to access this resource.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Vitiligo. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

  1. Grimes PE. Vitiligo: Pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate; February 3, 2017; https://www.uptodate.com/contents/vitiligo-pathogenesis-clinical-features-and-diagnosis.
  2. Vitiligo. Genetics Home Reference. January, 2015; http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/vitiligo.
  3. Grimes PE. Vitiligo: Management and prognosis. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate; May 5, 2017; https://www.uptodate.com/contents/vitiligo-management-and-prognosis.
  4. Vitiligo. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). August 2010; http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Vitiligo/default.asp. Accessed 11/20/2012.