Vitiligo is a skin condition that can affect infants as young as 3 months old. However, it is rare for an infant to be born with vitiligo.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that can run in families. It can cause patches of skin to lose color and become more sensitive to sunlight.
While it does not generally affect a child’s physical health, vitiligo can cause issues with self-esteem and mental health problems, such as anxiety.
This article discusses vitiligo in infants, including diagnosis, causes, and tips for caregivers.
Vitiligo affects the skin, causing patches of skin to lose color. The affected parts of the skin are also photo-sensitive, which means they are more sensitive to the sun.
A person can develop vitiligo at any time in life, including infancy, and may receive a diagnosis as early as
Experts do not fully understand the differences between vitiligo that develops before and after puberty. According to
There are three main types of vitiligo, and any of these can affect infants. However, a type called segmental vitiligo is
Types of vitiligo include:
- Segmental: This type only affects one side of the body. It usually spreads quickly but stops after 6 to 12 months. After this time, the vitiligo does not usually spread anymore throughout the person’s life.
- Nonsegmental: This is the most common type. It affects both sides of the body and usually appears symmetrically. For example, if a person has vitiligo on one hand, they will also have it on the other hand. Nonsegmental vitiligo usually spreads slowly and sporadically throughout an individual’s life.
- Localized: This type only affects one or a few patches of skin across the body.
The primary sign that an infant has vitiligo is when there are noticeable patches of skin, eyes, mouth, or hair that appear paler than the rest of the body. Patches may begin to spread to new parts of the body either near or close to the existing ones.
If an infant has segmental vitiligo, these patches may spread quickly across one side of the body.
The affected skin or patches can sometimes itch. This usually happens when vitiligo is actively spreading, and it may cause some discomfort to an infant. Rarely do patches itch at other times.
Some people with vitiligo also experience hearing loss, as their immune system attacks cells in the inner ear. However, there is very little research on how this may affect infants.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition. It occurs when the body’s immune system targets healthy cells, specifically melanocytes, which produce pigment in the skin.
Experts may not always know what causes vitiligo in infants. However, children are more likely to have vitiligo if they have a family member who also has it.
Certain factors can trigger vitiligo, including:
- severe sunburn
- skin injury
- chemical damage to the skin
Vitiligo is also
To
Healthcare professionals will also take a detailed family history from the infant’s caregiver. This can help determine if there is a genetic link to vitiligo or if other autoimmune conditions could be the cause.
A doctor may take a blood sample to check if the infant has another autoimmune condition. In some cases, a skin biopsy may be necessary.
It is not possible to cure vitiligo. However, certain treatments can help restore color to affected areas of skin and reduce spread.
Some treatments may not be suitable for infants.
If a caregiver decides to treat an infant’s vitiligo, a doctor will create a treatment plan based on the child’s age, health, and other factors.
Options to treat vitiligo in infants include:
- Oral and topical treatments: This can include topical steroid creams, which are easy to apply and are often helpful for people who have recently developed vitiligo. Options can include:
- corticosteroids
- tacrolimus creams or ointments
- calcipotriene, which works best when combined with a corticosteroid
- Phototherapy: This is a type of light treatment that helps restore pigment in the skin and reduce the spread of vitiligo by lowering the body’s immune response. Some types of phototherapy, such as narrow-band UVB
may be safe for infants.
Other treatments, such as depigmentation and surgical treatments, are not generally suitable for infants or young children.
A caregiver may want to consider the following actions when caring for an infant with vitiligo:
- protecting the infant’s skin from the sun, including applying sunscreen for infants older than 6 months or ensuring they are wearing sun-protective clothing
- monitoring the child for skin changes
- following treatment plans set out by a pediatrician
- staying educated and educating other family members on vitiligo
- creating a positive and supportive environment for the child
Vitiligo can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment, particularly during childhood, which can lead to low self-esteem and affect mental health. As an infant gets older, it is important to educate them on their condition and support them emotionally through the challenges associated with vitiligo.
Support is available for children with vitiligo and their caregivers. This includes local support groups, online communities, and support networks.
A caregiver of an infant with vitiligo can ask their healthcare professional for support resources.
Support for people with vitiligo
Vitiligo Support International provides support for all people whose lives have been affected by vitiligo. This includes providing information and community to those in need.
Global Vitiligo Foundation provides information, an online community, and a list of local support groups around the world.
What does vitiligo look like on a baby?
Vitiligo on a baby will usually look like patches of skin that are paler than the rest of the body. These patches have defined edges, making them easier to spot.
What are the odds of my baby getting vitiligo?
Vitiligo in infancy is not common. Only
Can vitiligo in babies go away?
There is no cure for vitiligo. However, certain treatments can reduce the appearance and spread of vitiligo. Sometimes the vitiligo may even stop spreading completely without treatment. In rare cases, vitiligo resolves on its own.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that causes paler patches of skin due to a lack of pigment in that area. It is fairly
Several different treatments are available for infants with vitiligo, and these may depend on the age of the infant as well as other factors. Treatments can help reduce the appearance and spread of vitiligo.