No, Vitiligo Does Not Cause Discharge from Eyelashes
Vitiligo does not cause any discharge from the eyelashes that resembles long white hair or any other type of discharge. This is a fundamental misunderstanding of the condition's pathophysiology.
What Vitiligo Actually Is
Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentation disorder characterized by white patches resulting from progressive loss of functioning epidermal melanocytes—the pigment-producing cells in the skin 1, 2. The condition affects pigmentation only, not secretory or inflammatory processes that would produce discharge 1.
Clinical Manifestations of Vitiligo
Vitiligo presents as depigmented (white) patches on the skin that are often symmetrical and increase in size over time 3.
Common sites include fingers, wrists, axillae, groins, and body orifices such as mouth, eyes, and genitalia 3.
When vitiligo affects the eyelashes or eyebrows, it causes poliosis—the whitening or depigmentation of the hair itself, not any form of discharge 3, 2.
The British Journal of Dermatology guidelines emphasize that vitiligo differs from other diseases as it has no physical symptoms to speak of—its main impact is psychological 1.
What You May Be Observing Instead
If you are seeing what appears to be "discharge from the eyelashes that looks like long white hair," consider these alternative explanations:
Poliosis (white eyelashes): Vitiligo can cause the eyelashes themselves to turn white due to loss of melanocytes in the hair follicles, which may be mistaken for discharge 3, 2.
Blepharitis or other eyelid conditions: Actual discharge from the eyelashes suggests an inflammatory or infectious process unrelated to vitiligo, such as blepharitis, which can produce crusting or debris on the lashes.
Cylindrical dandruff (Demodex): This can appear as white sleeve-like material around the base of eyelashes and is unrelated to vitiligo.
Autoimmune Considerations in This Patient
Given the patient's history of autoimmune comorbidities:
Check thyroid function, as autoimmune thyroid disease occurs in approximately 34% of adults with vitiligo 3.
Screen for other associated autoimmune conditions including alopecia areata, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and systemic lupus erythematosus 4, 5.
The presence of multiple autoimmune conditions is common in vitiligo patients, particularly in females and older age 5.
Common Pitfall to Avoid
Do not attribute any discharge, crusting, or inflammatory symptoms to vitiligo itself—these indicate a separate ocular or eyelid condition requiring appropriate evaluation and treatment 1. Vitiligo is purely a depigmentation disorder without secretory or inflammatory manifestations 1, 2.