Kim Kardashian, 43, revealed this week that one of her two sons — Saint, 8, or Psalm, 5 — has the rare skin condition vitiligo.
While discussing her psoriasis journey on Monday’s episode of the “She MD” podcast, Kardashian explained that vitiligo, which causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color, can be hereditary.
“It came from my mom, went to me … and I passed it on in a different form to my son, who has vitiligo very mildly,” explained Kardashian, who did not name which son has it.
Kardashian and ex-husband Kanye West, 47, have two sons and two daughters.
“The Kardashians” star clarified that her son’s condition is now “under control.”
Kardashian added: “I didn’t know anything about it, but having to learn about it and figuring out where it came from and that it’s hereditary and just learning more and being able to share that [has been a blessing].”
Here’s a look at what causes vitiligo and how it’s treated.
What is vitiligo?
According to the Mayo Clinic, vitiligo, pronounced (vit-ih-LIE-go), is a disease that causes patches of skin to lose color.
Typically, melanin determines skin and hair color; in vitiligo, the skin cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning.
The result is discolored areas that tend to get larger over time. Vitiligo can affect the skin on any part of the body, including the hair and the inside of the mouth.
Vitiligo affects about 1% of the world’s population and usually appears before age 30.
The condition is found in people of all skin types but may be more distinguishable in those with brown or black skin.
Early signs
Signs of vitiligo include:
- Patchy loss of skin color. It often initially appears on the skin of the hands, face and areas around body openings and genitals.
- Premature whitening or graying of the hair on the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard
- Loss of color in the mucous membranes that line the inside of the mouth and nose
Types of vitiligo
- Universal vitiligo causes the discoloration of nearly all skin areas.
- The most common type, generalized vitiligo, affects many parts of the body, and the discolored patches progress symmetrically.
- Segmental vitiligo affects only one side or part of the body. This type manifests early in life, progresses for a year or two, and then stops.
- Localized or focal vitiligo affects one or only a few areas of the body.
- Acrofacial vitiligo affects the skin on the face, hands and around body openings, such as the eyes, nose and ears.
Is vitiligo contagious?
Vitiligo is not contagious. It’s unclear what causes vitiligo, but it is believed to relate to family history, autoimmune conditions or triggering events such as stress or skin trauma.
It’s difficult to predict how vitiligo will manifest or progress. Occasionally, the colorless patches stop forming without treatment. In most cases, pigment loss spreads, and the skin sometimes gets its color back.
Is vitiligo dangerous?
Vitiligo is not life-threatening. However, those who have it are at greater risk of social or psychological distress, vision problems, hearing loss and sunburn.
Vitiligo has no known cure, but treatments can slow or stop the discoloring process. Medications and light-based therapies can help restore skin color or even out skin tone, though results are unpredictable.
Celebrities with vitiligo
Kardashian’s son joins the ranks of celebrities like model Winnie Harlow, the late singer Michael Jackson, actor Jon Hamm, actress Holly Marie Combs and talk show host Graham Norton, who have been candid about their experience with vitiligo.