Vitiligo is a long-term condition where pale white patches develop on the skin. Its 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.

Is vitiligo considered a disease?

Vitiligo (vit-ih-LIE-go) is a disease that causes loss of skin color in patches. The discolored areas usually get bigger with time. The condition can affect the skin on any part of the body. It can also affect hair and the inside of the mouth.

Why is vitiligo considered a disease?

Vitiligo causes the skin to lose its natural color. Because this affects a persons appearance, many people consider vitiligo a “cosmetic problem.” Cosmetic means the problem only affects the way a person looks. But vitiligo is more than a “cosmetic problem.” It is a medical condition.

Is vitiligo an autoimmune disease?

Vitiligo is generally considered to be an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system attacks the bodys own tissues and organs. In people with vitiligo the immune system appears to attack the pigment cells (melanocytes) in the skin .

Is vitiligo a chronic disease?

Vitiligo is a chronic (long-lasting) disorder that causes areas of skin to lose color. No one knows the exact cause of vitiligo. It may be an autoimmune disease in which the bodys immune system attacks and destroys the skin cells that make color. There is no cure for vitiligo.

Is vitamin C bad for vitiligo?

Vitamin supplements can have an opposite effect: for example, an excessive intake of Vitamin C can worsen vitiligo symptoms, so keep it at normal levels. People with vitiligo should keep their Vitamin D levels in the upper range of normal, with exception of conditions causing fat malabsorption.