ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a case study of a 23-year-old African Caribbean man who presents with a 2-year history of gradual patchy lightening of the skin. He denies any symptoms such as itching or irritation of his skin prior to the onset of the whitening patches. He has no previous history of skin problems but had suffered with mild asthma as a child. There are multiple, well-demarcated, non-scaly macules of depigmentation in a symmetrical distribution, predominantly over the trunk. The periorbital, perioral and genital areas are affected. Some of the macules have tiny pigmented spots within them. Vitiligo is a depigmenting acquired disease that occurs due to loss of epidermal melanocytes. Vitiligo has been reported to be associated with autoimmune disease including thyroid disease, pernicious anaemia and type 1 diabetes mellitus. The course of vitiligo is variable; however, most patients’ course is quite rapid at the onset followed by a period of stability.
