Patients presenting with blotches or patchy skin is always a challenge for any dermatologist. As there are several causes of patchy skin, correct diagnosis is cumbersome. Most of the times, vitiligo or leukoderma, almost synonymously used, is the diagnosis. Vitiligo is a disease that results in the loss of skin color in blotches. The extent and rate of color loss from vitiligo is unpredictable.
The condition can affect the skin on any part of the body. Overall about 1% of total world population is thought to be affected with this acquired depigmentation condition. The disease presents a lot of challenges for the patients including a social and psychological impact, especially in persons with darker skin, as the depigmentation becomes prominent. It is thought that genetic factors play a critical role in disease onset, as around 20-30% patients have a prior family history of the…
