Vitiligo

Signs and symptoms of vitiligo include:

• loss of pigment in patches of skin

• head hair, eyelashes, eyebrows or facial hair whitening, or greying prematurely

• patches may feel itchy, but it's rare to feel pain or discomfort

• changes in eye colour if vitiligo affects the eyes

• hearing loss if melanocytes in the inner ear are affected

Vitiligo occurs when melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment, die or stop producing melanin. It’s not clear exactly what causes this to happen, but it may be linked to:

• autoimmune conditions – if the immune system isn’t functioning as it should, it may start attacking healthy cells and tissue, such as melanocytes

• genetics – vitiligo can be hereditary, and it can also develop as a result of changes in inherited genes

• a trigger event – stress, skin trauma, severe sunburn or contact with a strong chemical such as phenol can bring on vitiligo

Risk factors for vitiligo

You may be at increased risk of developing vitiligo if:

• other members of your family have it

• there's a family history of other autoimmune conditions – for example, if one of your parents has pernicious anaemia (an autoimmune condition that affects the stomach)

• you have another autoimmune condition

• you have melanoma (a type of skin cancer) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system)

• you have particular changes in your genes that are known to be linked to vitiligo

Our dermatologists will diagnose vitiligo at an initial consultation by talking to you about your medical history and examining your skin in natural light. They may also look at your skin using a type of lamp called a Wood’s lamp. This uses different types of light to see patches more clearly and help differentiate them from other skin conditions. Your dermatologist may also recommend a blood test to check for other autoimmune diseases. 

There’s currently no way to prevent vitiligo as it’s an autoimmune disease with an unknown cause. 

Complications caused by vitiligo include: 

• higher risk of sunburn – the white patches have lower melanin levels, so it’s important to wear suncscren and keep your skin covered where possible

• vitamin D deficiency – reducing exposure to the sun can reduce vitamin D production, so a supplement may be necessary

• eye problems – inflammation of the iris or inflammation of the middle layer of the eye 

• hearing problems – a partial loss of hearing 

• problems with confidence and self-esteem 

The white patches caused by vitiligo are usually permanent, although treatment options are available to reduce their appearance. Currently, there’s no treatment to stop vitiligo from spreading. 

Treatment options for vitiligo include: 

• corticosteroid creams – applying a corticosteroid cream to the affected areas may increase pigmentation

• corticosteroid tablets or injections – these may be used in cases that are progressing quickly to aid with repigmentation and to slow down pigment loss

• phototherapy – various types of light therapy may help in slowing down the loss of pigment and restoring some skin colour. These are often more effective when used together with steroid creams

• surgery – if other treatments are ineffective, a skin graft or cell transplant may be performed to re-pigment the skin

At Welbeck, our dermatologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.