الفهرس 
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Abstract
Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentation disorder, characterized by depigmented patches, as a result of the disappearance of functioning melanocytes from the epidermis Diagnostic criteria are mainly clinical, based on the findings of acquired, well-demarcated white lesions on the skin, with no associated inflammation that tend to enlarge centrifugally.
The natural course of the disease is generally unpredictable, but is often progressive; some degree of spontaneous repigmentation occurs in 10– 20% of patients, but rarely is it cosmetically acceptable, often occurring in a perifollicular pattern.
Vitiligo can be psychologically devastating for the affected patient. This is especially true in patients with darker skin because of the great contrast between the color of vitiliginous skin and surrounding normal skin. Vitiligo can affect quality of life, self-esteem, marriage, and employment, especially in darker-skinned individuals and in certain cultures because of confusion with leprosy and other contagious skin diseases. Loss of pigment may be viewed by patients as threat to racial identity.