Pronunciation: [vˈɪtɪlˌɪɡə͡ʊ] (IPA) 
Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes patches of skin to lose their pigment. The word "vitiligo" is spelled /vɪtɪlaɪgoʊ/ in IPA. The initial "v" is pronounced like "v" in "van", followed by the vowel sound "i" as in "it". The next syllable "ti" is pronounced like "t" in "tea" followed by the vowel sound "i". The final syllable "li-go" is pronounced like "lee" and "go" as in the word "go."
Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition characterized by the loss of melanin, the pigment responsible for giving color to the skin, hair, and eyes. In this disorder, the melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, are destroyed, resulting in white patches or spots on various parts of the body. These patches can appear on any area of the skin, but they are most commonly seen on the face, hands, arms, feet, and areas around body openings.
Vitiligo is not contagious, and its exact cause is unknown, although it is believed to be an autoimmune condition. It can affect people of any age, gender, or ethnic group, but it is more noticeable in individuals with darker skin tones. The condition is often progressive, meaning that the white patches may spread and increase in size over time. However, the course and severity of the disease vary from person to person.
While vitiligo is primarily a cosmetic concern, it can have significant psychological and emotional effects on individuals, leading to decreased self-esteem, depression, and social isolation. Treatment options for vitiligo include topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, surgical interventions, and phototherapy. However, there is no known cure for the condition, and treatment mainly focuses on improving the appearance of the affected areas and slowing down the progression of the disease.
Overall, vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder characterized by the partial or complete loss of skin pigmentation, resulting in white patches or spots on the skin.
Acquired leucoderma, piebald skin, the appearance on the skin of white patches of greater or lesser extent, due to simple loss of pigment without other trophic changes.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "vitiligo" originates from the Latin words "vitium" meaning "fault" or "defect" and "ligo" meaning "to bind" or "to join". The term "vitiligo" was first used in medical literature in the late 17th century to describe the skin condition characterized by patches of depigmentation or loss of color. The term suggests a "binding defect" or an abnormality in the process of pigmentation binding or joining together.
