Vitiligo natural history, complications and prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

The natural history of vitiligo is not well defined. The disease is unpredictable and there is no definitive treatment. Depigmentation may be stable or progressive and can cause even a total body depigmentation or remit spontaneously, although spontaneous remission is uncommon.

Natural History

• The natural history of vitiligo is uncertain.

• Approximately half of the cases present before the age of 20.
• The onset is acute and starts with a rapid loss of pigmentation in sun-exposed and friction areas, most commonly face and extremities.
• A latent period can occur, but remission is uncommon.