Skin Health More Skin Conditions Vitiligo Facts and Statistics: What You Need to Know By Angelica Bottaro Angelica Bottaro Facebook LinkedIn Angelica Bottaro is a writer with expertise in many facets of health including chronic disease, Lyme disease, nutrition as medicine, and supplementation. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 14, 2022 Medically reviewed by Katlein Franca, MD Medically reviewed by Katlein Franca, MD LinkedIn Katlein Franca, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Overview Prevalence By Ethnicity By Age and Sex Causes and Risk Factors Screening Frequently Asked Questions Roughly 1.9 million people are diagnosed with vitiligo in the United States. However, medical researchers believe that the number of actual cases may be closer to 2.8 million because many patients are undiagnosed. Vitiligo doesn’t discriminate, and it is found relatively equally in all ethnicities and sexes. This article discusses important facts and statistics about vitiligo. Westend61 / Getty Images Vitiligo Overview Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder that presents as depigmentation of the skin. The pigment melanin, which gives skin its color, is lost in people with vitiligo, resulting in pale patches of white skin on their bodies. The patches can occur anywhere. However, they are most commonly found on the head, face, neck, and hands. Once the condition develops, it continues to progress and worsen over time. In some cases, the patches of white skin may improve or stop growing. Autoimmunity and Vitiligo An autoimmune disease occurs when cells of the immune system mistake healthy cells for foreign pathogens and attacks them. In the case of vitiligo, the cells attacked are melanocytes, pigment cells that help give skin its color. Is Vitiligo Painful? How Common Is Vitiligo? Roughly 1100 in every 100,000 people in the United States have vitiligo. Determining the exact number of cases is difficult because not everyone with the condition comes forward for a diagnosis. While the number of people diagnosed with vitiligo sits lower at 770 per 100,000, the total number of cases includes diagnosed, undiagnosed, and self-reported. There are two types of vitiligo: NonsegmentalSegmental Non-segmental vitiligo presents as patches that develop symmetrically on both sides of the body. When segmental occurs, it affects only one area of the body. Roughly 9 out of every 10 cases of vitiligo are considered non-segmental. Is Vitiligo on the Rise? It is hard to determine if the number of people with vitiligo is rising because many with the disorder choose not to seek medical treatment. Because of that, information regarding the increase or decrease in cases is scarce. Vitiligo by Ethnicity All ethnicities are affected by vitiligo. That said, some research suggests that people with fair skin or who are of mixed race account for most cases of vitiligo. Cases per 100,000 People of Vitiligo by Ethnicity Non-Hispanic Black 74 Non-Hispanic white 620 Hispanic 120 Asian/Southeast Asian 120 Multiracial 594 Vitiligo and Darker Skin Tones Vitiligo is easier to see on darker skin tones; however, those of non-Hispanic Black descent are among the least affected by the condition. Vitiligo by Age and Gender While vitiligo can occur at any age, it typically begins to develop in childhood or before the age of 20. By that time, nearly half of all cases will have developed in people with vitiligo. By 30, roughly 70% to 80% of vitiligo cases will have already developed. When it comes to which sex is most affected, the research has been inconsistent. Some studies suggest that males are more likely to develop the condition, whereas others have found females to be the most affected. Age of Onset by Percentage Under 10 25% Under 20 50% Under 30 70-80% Over 30 20-30% Vitiligo and Aging People who have vitiligo have it for life. Once it develops, it can be managed or left alone since it poses no health threat. Causes of Vitiligo and Risk Factors The exact cause of vitiligo isn’t well understood. That said, some factors increase the risk of someone developing vitiligo. Risk factors include: Genetic mutations: Certain gene mutations can increase the risk of vitiligo, and as many as 30% of people with the condition have a family member who is also affected. Other autoimmune diseases: Other autoimmune disorders such as Addison’s disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus are all linked to vitiligo. Environment: A traumatic sunburn, emotional stress, or chemical exposure can trigger or worsen vitiligo in some people. Stress is particularly linked to late-onset vitiligo. Vitiligo and Skin-Lightening Products Although rare, using skin-lightening products can trigger vitiligo in someone who is already genetically predisposed to the condition. Is Vitiligo Genetic? Screening and Early Detection Vitiligo does not cause other health issues and isn't severe enough to threaten a person's overall level of wellness. Because of that, screening and early detection are not necessarily needed. Typically, the patches of white skin develop and cause no pain or irritation. If someone does not like the cosmetic appearance of the spots, they can seek treatment, but it is not always necessary to do so. Reducing the Vitiligo Stigma There is a stigma attached to vitiligo because of its cosmetic appearance, which has prompted people to try various treatments to correct the loss of pigmentation. That said, recent inclusivity movements in the mainstream beauty industry have begun reducing that stigma by celebrating the unique appearance of vitiligo. How Vitiligo Is Treated Summary Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disorder that affects as many as 2.8 million people in the United States. The condition presents as white patches of skin on various parts of the body. The disease develops when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin pigment cells. While vitiligo is more evident in people with darker skin tones, people with fair skin are the most affected by the condition. Both sexes are thought to be affected equally. Research is still ongoing because many studies have come to different conclusions regarding the prevalence rates in both sexes. Because many studies come to other decisions regarding sex and vitiligo, it’s hard to determine which sex is the most affected. Vitiligo typically develops before 30. Most cases appear between childhood and age 20. Once the skin condition emerges, it cannot be cured. Treatments usually focus on changing the cosmetic appearance of the white patches. Tips for Building Self-Esteem When You Have Vitiligo Frequently Asked Questions Is vitiligo serious? While vitiligo doesn’t cause serious health consequences, it can lead to poor self-image and self-esteem in some. That said, treatments are available to help combat that, and the stigma regarding the appearance of the white patches is beginning to subside due to a more inclusive cultural push. What age group is most affected by vitiligo? Vitiligo affects all age groups equally because once you develop the condition, you have it for life. That said, the onset age varies, and most people with vitiligo begin developing it before the age of 30. Can stress cause vitiligo? While stress isn’t linked to the onset of vitiligo in childhood, research has found that it can be a risk factor for people who develop the condition after age 30. Adult onset vitiligo can come on for many reasons, and stress is just one of them. 10 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Gandhi K, Ezzedine K, Anastassopoulos KP, et al. Prevalence of vitiligo among adults in the United States. JAMA Dermatol. 2022;158(1):43-50. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.4724 Medline Plus. Vitiligo. UK National Health Service. Vitiligo. Silverberg JI, Reja M, Silverberg NB. Regional variation of and association of US birthplace with vitiligo extent. JAMA Dermatol. 2014;150(12):1298-305. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.899 Thng S. Chuah SY, Gan E. Age and vitiligo: childhood, pregnancy and late-onset vitiligo. Vitiligo. 2019:141-151. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-62960-5_14 Bergqvist C, Ezzedine K. Vitiligo: a review. Dermatology. 2020;236(6):571-592. doi:10.1159/000506103 Patil S, Gautam M, Nadkarni N, Saboo N, Godse K, Setia MS. Gender differences in clinicoepidemiological features of vitiligo: a cross-sectional analysis. ISRN Dermatol. 2014;2014:186197. doi:10.1155/2014/186197 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Vitiligo. Henning SW, Jaishankar D, Barse LW, et al. The relationship between stress and vitiligo: evaluating perceived stress and electronic medical record data. PLoS One. 2020;15(1):e0227909. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227909 Sawant NS, Vanjari NA, Khopkar U. Gender differences in depression, coping, stigma, and quality of life in patients of vitiligo. Dermatol Res Pract. 2019;2019:6879412. doi:10.1155/2019/6879412 By Angelica Bottaro Angelica Bottaro is a professional freelance writer with over 5 years of experience. 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