Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin, the mucous membranes (tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose, as well as genital and rectal areas), and the retina (inner layer of the eyeball) are destroyed. As a result, white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. The hair that grows in areas affected by vitiligo usually turns white as well.
Who Is Affected By Vitiligo?
About 1 to 2 percent of the world's population, or 40 to 50 million people, have vitiligo. In the United States, 2 to 5 million people have the disorder. Ninety-five percent of people who have it develop it before their 40th birthday. The disorder affects all races and both sexes equally.
The cause or
causes of vitiligo are unknown, but doctors and researchers have several different theories.
Risk Factors for Vitiligo
While not a cause of vitiligo, certain factors seem to increase a person's risk of developing it. Issues known to be risk factors for the condition include certain
autoimmune diseases and a family history of the disease.
However, just because someone has risk factors, it does not mean he or she will develop the condition. Most people who develop vitiligo have no risk factors.
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