Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease which causes the loss or inactivation of pigment producing cells in the skin, resulting in light or white patches of skin and hair. The degree and severity of pigment loss can vary from person to person. In some, it is localized to a small area or streak. In others, the pigment loss can be more generalized or even universal. Common areas of involvement include the face (especially around the eyes, nose, and mouth), hands, feet, and genitals. Vitiligo can also affect the hair, leading to white hair on the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes. Though no cure exists today, various therapies are available, with the most common being topical medications and/or phototherapy.
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