Vitiligoandalbinismmay appear similar, but the two are not the same.
Both vitiligo and albinism develop because of issues with melanin production.
The two conditions also have a genetic component when it comes to development.
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
Read on to learn more about vitiligo and albinism and the difference between the two conditions.
The result is patches of white skin on different areas of the body.
Between 0.5% and 2% of people across the globe have vitiligo.
Albinism is a genetic disorder that leads to the body not producing enough or any melanin..
This gives skin a light or completely white appearance.
Roughly 1 in every 20,000 people have albinism in the world.
Albinism can also affect the eyes and skin, whereas vitiligo does not.
Both conditions can affect the hair, but this is more common in albinism.
What Is Hypopigmentation?
This differs from people with vitiligo or albinism, who experience depigmentation.
What Are the Symptoms of Vitiligo?
The main symptom of vitiligo is smooth, white patches of skin.
In some cases, the scalp and hair can also lose their pigment and become white.
Can Vitiligo Cause Depression?
Depression, for example, can develop in as many as 54.5% of people with vitiligo.
What Causes Vitiligo?
They include:
How Is Vitiligo Treated?
Treatment options include:
What If Treatment Doesn’t Work?
In the most severe cases and when treatment doesnt work, people may opt for complete depigmentation.
What you oughta Know About Albinism
Albinism develops when melanocytes do not create enough melanin.
This leads to a full loss of pigment across the entire body, hair, and eyes.
What Are the Symptoms of Albinism?
The main symptoms of albinism are extremely pale skin, hair, and eyes.
However, in people with the condition, other symptoms can be present as well.
They include:
What Is Ocular Albinism?
In some cases, albinism will primarily affect the eyes.
This leads to depigmentation of the iris, the colored part of the eye.
What Causes Albinism?
How Is Albinism Treated?
There is no cure for albinism and treatment is heavily focused on eye issues that develop with the condition.
Treatment for eye issues include:
Is There a Connection Between Albinism and Skin Cancer?
How Is Albinism Diagnosed?
The DNA genetic test is a way to correctly diagnosis which jot down of albinism a person has.
Frequently Asked Questions
The opposite of albinism is melanism.
Although albinism can occur in both humans and animals, only animals can develop melanism.
Albinism is not a key in of skin cancer.
Vitiligo is pronounced as vih-tuh-LIE-go.
Most people with vitiligo do not experience any symptoms in the white patches of skin.
There is no cure for vitiligo, and the spread of the spots cannot be stopped.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Vitiligo: Signs and Symptoms.
Al-Harbi M.Prevalence of depression in vitiligo patients.Skinmed.2013 Nov-Dec;11(6):327-30.
United Kingdom National Health Service.Vitiligo.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Vitiligo: Diagnosis and Treatment.
United Kingdom National Health Service.Albinism.
