Vitiligo is a skin condition where the skin loses melanin, or the pigment that gives it its color. When your skin cells no longer produce vitiligo, or if the skin cells die, patches of white skin will begin to develop.

What are the symptoms of vitiligo?

The major symptom of vitiligo is the appearance of white patches on your skin that grow. However, other signs include premature grey hair, or the loss of color on the inside of your mouth or on your retina. Typically, vitiligo is first occurs on sun-exposed parts of your skin, such as your arms and face. More often, it spreads over many parts of your body.

What causes vitiligo?

While doctors have theories as to why your skin stops producing melanin, there are no known or proven causes of vitiligo at this time.

How do you treat vitiligo?

Typically, vitiligo is not treated. In some cases, the color returns to the skin. Otherwise, improving the appearance of your skin includes using sunscreen to protect it and applying makeup. Some more extreme measures include applying corticosteroids, immunomodulators, photochemotherapy, or ultraviolet therapy.

How do you prevent vitiligo?

Because there is no known cure or cause for vitiligo, there is no way to prevent it from happening. It is recommended that patients with vitiligo learn to cope with the skin condition.