22/07/2026
[Skin Library] Vitiligo - Autoimmune disease causing patchy skin color loss
The loss of pigmentation occurs when cells that produce pigment, called melanocytes, are destroyed.
Primarily viewed as a skin condition, vitiligo can also affect hair, eyes, inner ear, and mucous membranes inside the mouth and nose. It is often seen on the face, dorsal hands, or feet.
- Causes
Researcher don’t know exactly what causes vitiligo. The most common type of vitiligo, known as generalized or nonsegmental vitiligo, may be an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks melanocytes.
- Risk Factors
These factors can increase the risk of developing vitiligo:
．Family history of vitiligo
．Family history of autoimmune conditions
．Melanoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma
．Another autoimmune disorder
．Certain gene changes
- Nonsegmental Vitiligo
Typically referred to vitiligo, this type of vitiligo is the most common. It causes white patches on both sides of the body . People with nonsegmental vitiligo may notice that patches appear on both hands and a large area of the body. Color loss is typically progressive. It occurs more over a person’s lifetime. New patches may form and existing patches may expand over time.
- Segmental Vitiligo
This less common type of vitiligo causes patches on one part of the body, such as the face or an arm or leg. It tends to appear at a younger age and continues for about one or two years before it stops.
Some people with this condition also lose some hair color.
- Vitiligo Diagnosis
People usually receive a vitiligo diagnosis through a physical exam. Your doctor will ask about your family history and personal medical history. They may also want to perform a blood test to check your thyroid.
- Traditional Treatment - Topical Steroid
Doctors may prescribe other off-label medications, such as corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors to treat vitiligo.
However, there are no established clinical studies proving the efficacy for re-pigmenting vitiligo.
- Latest Treatment - JAK Inhibitor
FDA has approved a topical JAK inhibitor in the form of medicated skin cream for the treatment of nonsegmental vitiligo in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older.
It is the first FDA-approved pharmacologic treatment to address re-pigmentation in vitiligo patients.
Usage: The medicated skin cream is applied twice a day to affected areas of up to 10% of the body’s surface area.
Clinical trials: At the end of the 24-week treatment period, 30% of the JAK inhibitor patients had at least 75% improvement in the facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index, compared with 10% of placebo patients.
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