Vitiligo is not contagious. Which statement is accurate?

• A. Vitiligo is not contagious.
• B. Vitiligo is contagious.
• C. Vitiligo causes patches of dark skin.
• D. Vitiligo only affects older adults.

Answer: (A)

Vitiligo is not contagious because it’s an autoimmune condition in which pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) are destroyed. This isn’t caused by an infection or anything that can be transmitted to others, so it cannot be spread by touch, air, or contact.

That makes the accurate statement that vitiligo is not contagious. It also helps to know that vitiligo presents as lighter, depigmented patches rather than patches of dark skin, and it can occur at any age, not just in older adults.