In vitiligo, patches of skin lose their color. This occurs most commonly on the face, hands, armpits, and groin. It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks skin cells that make the pigment melanin. The condition usually develops in early adulthood.
There is no cure for vitiligo, but a combination of light therapy and medication may help to repigment the areas. Camouflage cosmetics can be used to disguise smaller areas. Other possible treatments include topical corticosteroids, topical immunomodulators (drugs that act on the immune system), and the vitamin D derivative calipotriol. Despite treatment, the patches often continue to enlarge slowly.

Othere related diseases

INTERTRIGO
Intertrigo is inflammation of the skin due to two surfaces rubbing together. It often affects skin under the breasts, between the thighs, in the armpits, or bet...

KELOID
A keloid is a firm, itchy, irregularly shaped overgrowth of scar tissue that forms on the surface of a wound. Keloids are the result of overproduction of the sk...

LICHEN PLANUS
Oral lichen planus Lichen planus is an itchy rash of small pink or purple spots that most commonly affects the arms, legs, lower back, or scalp. It may also aff...

LICHEN SCLEROSUS
Lichen sclerosus is a long-term condition that affects skin in the genital or anal area. In females, it usually affects the vulva and skin around the anus. The ...

LIPOMA
A lipoma is a noncancerous lump under the skin caused by excessive growth of fat cells. Lipomas may develop anywhere on the body but most commonly occur on the ...

LIVEDO RETICULARIS
Livedo reticularis is a netlike, purple or blue mottling of the skin. It most commonly occurs on the lower legs and is due to enlargement of the blood vessels u...

LUPUS PERNIO
In lupus pernio, purple swellings resembling chilblains develop on the ears, nose, or cheeks. However, unlike chilblains, the swellings do not itch or cause pai...

MALIGNANT MELANOMA
Malignant melanoma is a type of skin cancer that arises from pigmented skin cells called melanocytes. It is caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet light (f...