Babies get vitiligo because it's an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks skin pigment cells (melanocytes), often linked to genetics and sometimes triggered by stress, injury, or chemicals, with early-onset vitiligo often having a strong family history, though the exact cause for the immune system's mistake is still unclear. It's an inherited tendency combined with environmental factors that make the pigment cells vulnerable.
What is known is that the risk of developing vitiligo increases in kids with a family or personal history of thyroid disease, diabetes, and certain conditions like alopecia (an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss). Vitiligo is never contagious — kids can't "catch" it from someone else.
It may be related to: A disorder of the immune system (autoimmune condition) Family history (heredity) A trigger event, such as stress, severe sunburn or skin trauma, such as contact with a chemical.
If a person has vitiligo, the risk that a first-degree family member (parent, child, or sibling) is 5%, or 5 times higher than the general population.
Anyone can get vitiligo, and it can develop at any age. However, for many people with vitiligo, the white patches begin to appear before age 20, and can start in early childhood.
Vitiligo is usually a chronic (long-term) condition — the symptoms may get better, but the condition itself isn't cured. Current treatment options for children with vitiligo aim at bringing color back to the skin. These include: Topical medications — Creams or ointments applied to the skin.
Vitiligo often starts as a pale patch of skin that gradually turns completely white. The centre of a patch may be white, with paler skin around it. If there are blood vessels under the skin, the patch may be slightly pink, rather than white. The edges of the patch may be smooth or irregular.
The most recognizable sign of vitiligo is the appearance of flat, white patches on the skin. These patches are usually more visible on darker skin tones and may slowly spread over time. Some children might also notice early graying of the hair, eyelashes, or eyebrows.
Epidemiological studies have given a conflicting view of the occurrence of the condition in both genders. For instance, some studies have found that vitiligo was more common in males whereas others have found it to be more common in females [5, 8–10, 12–16].
Most vitiligo susceptibility genes have been detected in European-derived whites. Some of these genes likewise contribute to vitiligo risk in Asian populations, whereas others apparently do not.
Although vitiligo can develop in anyone at any age, macules or patches usually become apparent before age 30. You might be at a higher risk of developing vitiligo if you have certain autoimmune conditions like: Addison's disease. Anemia.
There is no "cure" for vitiligo. Sometimes patches go away on their own. But when that doesn't happen, doctors can prescribe treatments that might help even out skin tone.
Truly depigmented spots that are NOT vitiligo
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease. This type of disease develops when your immune system attacks part of your own body. If you have vitiligo, your immune system attacks cells in your body called melanocytes. These are cells that make pigment.
How is vitiligo diagnosed in children? Vitiligo can usually be diagnosed based on a doctor's skin exam alone, without the need for any blood tests or a skin biopsy. Shining a special light, called a “Wood lamp,” on the vitiligo spots can help diagnose the condition.
Vitiligo usually manifests in the second or third decade of life and is believed to be an acquired condition, though a positive family history is present in 30 to 40 percent of cases. 2 Congenital vitiligo and presentation at birth is a very rare entity, but cases in infancy have been reported.
About 15 to 25 percent of people with vitiligo are also affected by at least one other autoimmune disorder, particularly autoimmune thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis , pernicious anemia, Addison disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis ...
Topical steroids come as a cream or ointment you apply to your skin. They can sometimes stop the spread of the white patches and may restore some of your original skin colour. A topical steroid may be prescribed to adults if: you have non-segmental vitiligo on less than 10% of your body.
Vitiligo may flare or spread due to: Stress. Sunburn, cuts, or other skin damage. Chemical exposure.
What causes vitiligo in children? Vitiligo can run in families, but a genetic link is not necessary. People with vitiligo often have a personal or family history of autoimmune disease, such as thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, and/or alopecia areata. Vitiligo is also caused by environmental or unknown factors.
Limited studies show that the herb Ginkgo biloba may return skin color in people with vitiligo. Other small studies show that alpha-lipoic acid, folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin B-12 plus phototherapy may restore skin color for some people.
White patches on a baby's skin can have various causes, from harmless conditions like milia and pityriasis alba to fungal infections and eczema. While many of these conditions resolve on their own, it's important to monitor the patches and consult a pediatrician if they persist or seem to worsen.
An analysis of seven studies of people with atopic dermatitis (the most common type of eczema) showed that the two conditions are closely associated. The authors found that people with atopic dermatitis are more than three times more likely to have vitiligo, compared to the general population.
Vitamin B12 has been shown to be useful for repigmentation in patients suffering from vitiligo. Folic acid (or vitamin B9) has been proven to be significant for treating vitiligo. It needs to be included in the diet as the body cannot synthesize it.
Vitiligo produces a wide range of skin pigmentation appearances. In fact, there are three types of vitiligo: focal, generalized, and segmental. Focal vitiligo is characterized by a few spots in a concentrated area. These spots are often stable and dormant for years at a time.