Vitiligo is a fairly common condition that causes pale, white patches to develop on the skin. This is because that particular area of skin has little or none of a type of pigment called melanin.
Any area of the skin can be affected by vitiligo, but it is most commonly seen in parts that are exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck and hands. It is more noticeable on people with dark or tanned skin.
The condition varies from person to person. In some people only a few small, white patches will appear and progress no further, whereas in others the patches may get bigger and join up across large areas of the skin. There is no way to predict how much of the skin will be affected, and the white patches are usually permanent.
About 1 in 100 people in the UK develop vitiligo. The condition can occur at any age, but begins before the age of 20 in about half of all cases. Both men and women are equally affected.
The exact cause is unclear, however, vitiligo is not infectious and you cannot catch it from contact with an affected person.
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