Vitiligo is a relatively common skin disorder in which white spots or patches appear on the skin.  These spots are caused by the destruction or weakening of the pigment cells in those areas, resulting in the pigment being destroyed or no longer produced.  In most cases, vitiligo is believed to be an auto-immune related disorder.  The colour of the skin is only affected whereas texture and other skin qualities remain normal.  Vitiligo is not a contagious disease.

» Symptoms:-

White patches or spots on the skin are first symptom. These patches are more obvious in sun exposed areas including the hands, feet, arms, legs, face and lips.

Vitiligo generally appears in one of 3 patterns:-

(a)focal pattern where the depigmentation is limited to one or only a few areas.
(b)Segmental pattern where white patches develop on one side of the body.
(c)General pattern where white patches occur on different parts of the body; often similar on each side of the body.

In addition, some people with the vitiligo may experience white hair growing in on the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows and beard.