Date(s): 01/01/2008 - 12/24/2015

This is a Support and Awareness Chapter, with a Proclamation signed by Gov. J.Markell 2009.Vitiligo: (vit·i·li·go) Vitiligo is a skin condition of white patches resulting from loss of pigment. Any part of the body may be affected. Melanin, the pigment that determines color of skin, hair, and eyes, is produced in cells called melanocytes. If these cells die or cannot form melanin, the skin becomes lighter or completely white.The main sign of vitiligo is pigment loss that produces milky-white patches (depigmentation) on your skin. Other less common signs may include: Premature whitening or graying of the hair on your scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard Loss of color in the tissues that line the inside of your mouth (mucous membranes) Loss or change in color of the inner layer of your eye (retina) Although any part of your body may be affected by vitiligo, depigmentation usually first develops on sun-exposed areas of your skin, such as your hands, feet, arms, face and lips. Vitiligo generally appears in one of three patterns: Segmental. Loss of skin color occurs on only one side of your body. Although it can start at any age, vitiligo often first appears between the ages of 20 and 30. The white patches may begin on your face above your eyes or on your neck, armpits, elbows, genitalia, hands or knees. They're often symmetrical and can spread over your entire body. The disorder affects both sexes and all races equally. The natural course of vitiligo is difficult to predict.  There is no cure for vitiligo.