Dear patient,

Thanks for your health concerns. Most likely, this is a benign finding called piebaldism, a localized form of albinism or lack of pigment production. The most common presentation is a "lock of white hair", but the eyelids, eyebrows can also be occasionally affected. It does not require particular treatment. You may want to attach a picture of the area or confirm with your local physician.

Truly yours,

Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Mayo Clinic MN

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Dear XXXXXXX

Thanks for the image. Indeed, the round, well defined area of hypopigmentation seems most compatible with piebaldism. In piebaldism, the problem is that the melanocytes don't incorporate the pigment in the hair as they would do.

Truly yours,

Dr Brenes-Salazar MD

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XXXXXXX

thanks for the follow up queries

1) The age at which piebaldism occurs is variable. many times itis evident at birth but other times develops with time. The difference of why is not clear

2) unlikely to be related to vitamin defficiencies or medications you take

3) For the most part, it is not reversible. Some have tried UV light phototherapy but results not encouraging

4) not a precursor of cancer or systemic disease

5) the distribution can be variable as you saw in the images. most cases are localized but others are multifocal; uncertain if there will be progression

6) there is a genetic tendency for piebaldism but most cases are recessive meaning that if your wife is not a carrier of a mutation then chances are slim. It is not contagious

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