Differences between albinism and vitiligo
Disease description:
Today at school, I saw a student with both white hair and pale facial skin. At first, I thought to myself that vitiligo can also turn hair white, but then I overheard someone nearby mentioning it was albinism. What's the difference between albinism and vitiligo?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wan
Albinism and vitiligo have different pathogenic mechanisms and symptoms. Albinism is a monogenic hereditary disease, associated solely with genetic mutations, whereas vitiligo is a polygenic hereditary disorder in which genetic factors play only a partial role, along with immune and environmental factors. Individuals with albinism are born with completely white or pale skin and light-colored or pure white hair. Their skin remains light throughout life, and their hair may gradually darken with age.
