Symptoms of the disease

Le vitiligo is characterized by white spots like chalk with well defined outlines by a darker strip of skin.

The first spots appear most often on the hands, arms, feet and face, but they can occur on any area of ​​the body, including the mucous membranes.

Their size can vary from a few millimeters to several centimeters. The spots are usually painless, but they can be itchy or burning when they appear.

People at risk

• People with another autoimmune disease. Thus, many people with vitiligo have another concomitant autoimmune disease, for example alopecia areata, Addison’s disease, pernicious anemia, lupus or type 1 diabetes. In 30% of cases, vitiligo is associated with an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland, namely hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism;
• People who have antecedents familial vitiligo (seen in about 30% of cases).

Risk factors

In people at risk, certain factors can trigger vitiligo:

• injuries, cuts, repeated rubbing, strong sunburn or contact with chemicals (phenols used in photography or in hair dyes) can cause vitiligo stains on the affected area;
• a great emotional shock or intense stress would sometimes be involved22.