Vitiligo usually manifests in the second or third decade of life and is believed to be an acquired condition, though a positive family history is present in 30 to 40 percent of cases. Congenital vitiligo and presentation at birth is a very rare entity, but cases in infancy have been reported.
White patches are the main vitiligo symptoms. Patches are commonly found on the hands, feet, arms, face and lips, and children with vitiligo may also notice white hair. In some children, vitiligo patches don't spread, and in others they do. It is not usually a life-threatening condition.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, up to half of people who develop vitiligo do so before the age of 20. But despite its high incidence in childhood and early adulthood, vitiligo can happen at any age, says the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).
Theories vary on what causes vitiligo. Some experts think it is an autoimmune disorder (in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy melanocytes). Others think it is a genetic condition, as affected kids often have a family member who also has it.
You're born with piebaldism. Vitiligo occurs when your body has melanocytes, but they're destroyed. You develop vitiligo during your lifetime. Vitiligo is a condition that causes cosmetic changes to your skin.
Vitiligo usually manifests in the second or third decade of life and is believed to be an acquired condition, though a positive family history is present in 30 to 40 percent of cases. Congenital vitiligo and presentation at birth is a very rare entity, but cases in infancy have been reported.
Vitiligo signs include: Patchy loss of skin color, which usually first appears on the hands, face, and areas around body openings and the genitals. Premature whitening or graying of the hair on your scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard.
Neonatal milia: Neonatal milia affects infants and causes white cysts to form on a baby's skin, most often on or around their nose. This type of milia is present at birth. Primary milia: Primary milia are small cysts that are common on your eyelids, forehead, cheeks or genitals.
No medical treatment: Sometimes no medical treatment is recommended, and those with vitiligo may utilize cosmetics to even their skin tone. This is often used in children because it avoids potential side effects from medications.
Vitiligo. Vitiligo is a condition that causes white spots and patches to develop on the skin. It can be a long-term condition that often doesn't go away completely. The condition results from a loss of pigment, or melanin, in the skin.
Pityriasis versicolor can sometimes be confused with vitiligo, as they both cause the skin to become discoloured in patches. But there are ways to tell the difference: vitiligo often develops symmetrically (on both sides of your body at the same time), while pityriasis versicolor may not.
Diagnosis of Vitiligo
If you have vitiligo, the light makes affected areas of your skin appear chalky and bright. Other tests can include: Blood tests to check for other autoimmune diseases. An eye exam to check for uveitis, an inflammation of part of the eye that sometimes occurs with vitiligo.
Vitiligo develops when changes occur in these genes, and the changes happen in the right combination. Inheriting certain genes may increase the risk of something triggering (causing it to happen) vitiligo. Known vitiligo triggers include: A severe sunburn.
The first signs of vitiligo in kids are white patches on the skin that are commonly found on the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Sometimes, vitiligo in babies also results in whitening of hair. In some children, vitiligo patches don't spread whereas in some children, it spreads rapidly all over the body.
Another condition that rarely causes a true white spot is nevus depigmentosus, which is a birthmark that usually appears within the first few months of life, has jagged edges, usually doesn't turn the hair white, and doesn't grow in size like vitiligo – it may get larger as the child grows and the skin stretches, but ...
White spots on the skin, also known as leukoderma or vitiligo, can be caused by a variety of factors, including vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin B-12, vitamin C, vitamin D, and folate deficiencies can all cause white spots on the skin.
While there's no complete cure for vitiligo, identifying and treating it early can greatly limit its effects. If you notice that you are developing white patches of skin for no discernible cause, this could be a sign of vitiligo, and you should see your doctor immediately.
What Are The Early Signs Of Vitiligo On Lips? In most cases, vitiligo on lips starts with small patches of discolored skin. Though these white patches can appear anywhere on your lips, it usually occurs on the lateral lower lip.
It affects approximately 1% of the world's population with most cases appearing in the second and third decades of life. Congenital vitiligo is rare with few reported cases.
Most often, the white spots on the skin heal on their own without treatment. But, if your child feels self-conscious, your healthcare provider may advise treating the patches with moisturizers or other topical medications to speed the healing process.
A deficiency in vitamin B-12 can present itself as white spots or patches on your skin.
Baby's skin color may change
(In fact, some babies can take up to six months to develop their permanent skin tone.) This is perfectly normal, but do keep an eye out for a yellow cast to the skin, which could be a sign of jaundice.
Rarely, your dermatologist may recommend a blood test to get more information about a possible autoimmune response related to vitiligo. The blood test is done in the office and a doctor or staff member calls you with the result in five to seven days.
First, it is important to perform a self-check skin exam at home to look for any unusual signs or symptoms. There are no home tests that can test for vitiligo, but you can check if you have depigmented areas. It is possible for vitiligo to lead to hearing loss. This is because the inner ear contains melanocytes.