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$Title{Vitiligo}
$Subject{Vitiligo Leukoderma}
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Copyright (C) 1986, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

243:
Vitiligo

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Vitiligo) is not the name
you expected.  Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the alternate names
and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     Leukoderma

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.


Vitiligo is a dermatological condition which is characterized by an absence of
melanocytes (pigment-producing cells), causing decreased pigmentation in the
skin.  These symptoms can vary from one or two spots to generalized
depigmentation of the entire body.

Symptoms

Vitiligo is characterized by spots on the skin with decreased pigmentation.
These lesions are usually sharply demarcated with increased coloring
(hyperpigmentation) on the borders, and are often symmetrical in shape.
These areas most often appear on the face, neck, hands, abdomen, and thighs
although they can occur on all parts of the skin.  The hair in vitiliginous
areas is usually white and the skin lesions appear white under a Wood's
light.  The lesions are prone to sunburn and should be protected from
sunlight.

Causes

Vitiligo is sometimes familial, but the exact mode of heredity is not yet
understood.  This disorder may follow unusual trauma, especially to the head.
Vitiligo has been associated with Addison's disease, diabetes mellitus,
pernicious anemia, and abnormal thyroid function.  An immunologic and
neurochemical base to the disorder has been postulated.  (For more
information on these disorders, choose "Addison" and "Pernicious Anemia" as
your search terms in the Rare Disease Database.)

Recent scientific research at the National Institutes of Health indicates
that Vitiligo is 10 to 15 times more common in patients with other diseases
in which the body breaks down its own tissue (autoimmune diseases) such as
pigment cell cancer (melanoma).  This disorder has not previously been
considered an autoimmune disease.  While organ-specific antibodies have
recently been detected in patients with the disease, the evidence that its
destruction of pigment cells (melanocytes) has an immune basis had not been
clear in prior research.

Affected Population

Onset of Vitiligo is usually before age 20 years.

Therapies:  Standard

Small lesions of Vitiligo may be camouflaged with cosmetic creams.  Para-
aminobenzoic acid solution or gel gives protection against sunburn.

Therapies:  Investigational

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through March
1987.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.  Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Vitiligo, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     Frontier's International Vitiligo Foundation
     4 Rozina Ct.
     Owings Mills, MD  21117

     National Foundation for Vitiligo & Pigment Disorders
     9032 South Normandy Dr.
     Centerville, OH  45459

     The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information
Clearinghouse
     Box AMS
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     (301) 495-4484

References

THE MERCK MANUAL 15th ed:  R. Berkow, et al:  eds; Merck, Sharp & Dohme
Research Laboratories, 1987.  P. 2299.

CECIL TEXTBOOK OF MEDICINE, 18th ed.:  James B. Wyngaarden, and Lloyd H.
Smith, Jr., Eds.:  W. B. Saunders Co., 1988.  Pp. 2344-5.