Dermatologic Disorders Chapter 123. A congenital or acquired decrease in melanin production. The three main types of hypopigmentation are vitiligo, albinism, and postinflammatory hypopigmentation. It may follow unusual physical trauma, especially of the head. The association of vitiligo with Addison's disease, diabetes mellitus, pernicious anemia, and thyroid dysfunction, as well as a high incidence of serum antibodies to thyroglobulin, adrenal cells, and parietal cells, has led to a postulated immunologic and neurochemical basis of disease.
Some patients have antibodies to melanin.
Vitiligo is characterized by depigmented areas, usually sharply demarcated and often symmetric, caused by a lack of melanocytes. Depigmentation may involve one or two spots or may cover most of the skin surface. Hair in vitiliginous areas is usually white. Skin lesions are accentuated under Wood's light. Treatment is for the cosmetic disfigurement.