Vitiligo Facts and Statistics: What You Need to Know

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. 

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.

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:

• Nonsegmental
• Segmental

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.