Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a common skin condition where the skin loses its pigment and turns white.  This occurs as a result of a person’s immune cells damaging the cells that give the skin its pigment.

Vitiligo is non contagious.

Dr Clayton has vast experience managing vitiligo in all age groups and skin types.

Vitiligo is an ‘autoimmune’ condition whereby the immune system becomes active against the body’s own tissues. Examples of autoimmune disorders include: diabetes, alopecia areata, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disease.

Vitiligo commonly appears in a symmetrical pattern affecting both sides of the body. Sometimes only one half of the body is affected.  This type has a limited progression and is more difficult to treat.

The way vitiligo develops varies from one person to another. Vitiligo may rarely  spread to cover the entire body surface.

Some people may not notice a change in their condition for many years;  for others it can spread quite quickly.

In some cases, the white (depigmented)  patches can regain their colour without treatment.  This is more likely with to happy with children.  However, it is very unusual for the condition to be resolved completely without treatment.

Vitiligo affects one person in every hundred throughout the world. Anyone can develop the condition, whatever their skin colour or ethnic origin. It can start at any age but about 50% of people develop it before the age of 20.

There is no 100% cure for vitiligo.

Although some treatments can be effective in re-pigmenting the skin, sometimes completely.  However, at present, there are no treatments that can prevent vitiligo developing again.