Vitiligo is an auto-immune condition that results in flat areas of pigment loss. Fingers are a common location. This image displays areas of complete absence of skin pigment typical of vitiligo. This image displays lightening of the skin due to vitiligo, with pigment beginning to return around each hair follicle. This image displays the tops of feet affected with vitiligo. While the pigment loss from vitiligo is often subtle in lighter-skinned people, the loss of pigment from hairs in the eyelash area here accentuates the color loss. This image displays lighter skin with fairly sharp edges on the face typical of vitiligo. In people with darker skin, the pigment loss in vitiligo is easily apparent. The fingers are a frequent skin location for patches of vitiligo. This image displays islands of normal skin within the white skin affected by vitiligo.
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Vitiligo  A parent's guide to condition and treatment information

Picture of Vitiligo: Vitiligo is an auto-immune condition that results in flat areas of pigment loss. Fingers are a common location. Divider line
Vitiligo is an auto-immune condition that results in flat areas of pigment loss. Fingers are a common location.
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Signs and Symptoms
Vitiligo most commonly affects areas of injury (trauma), particularly on the face, upper chest, hands, axillae, and groin. It may be widespread, affecting both sides of the body (generalized); it may affect only one side of the body (segmental); or it may affect only one localized area (focal).

Sharply defined white patches are seen with vitiligo. If the affected area contains hair, the hair may turn white.

Sometimes "halo" moles (nevi) may be seen, in which a mole is surrounded by a circular white patch, resembling a halo.
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Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008
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