Can vitiligo be transmitted through a blood or platelet donation?

Blood transfusions, made possible by blood donations, save approximately 1 million people each year. It is estimated that, each day, around 10,000 blood donations are needed. The collected blood can be used for emergency situations, such as haemorrhages, for patients with chronic diseases, like blood disorders and cancers, or even for the production of medicines. Less well-known, but no less important, are platelet donations, which are cells in the blood. Produced in the bone marrow, platelets are essential to the coagulation process. Platelet donations can save the lives of patients who have a high risk of sudden and severe haemorrhage, as is the case for patients undergoing heavy treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which inhibit the natural production of platelets.

Contrary to some commonly held beliefs, vitiligo does not prevent blood or platelet donation.

In fact, vitiligo, a skin condition that manifests itself through the progressive loss of pigmentation, leading to white patches on various areas of the body, is not contagious, whether through blood, saliva, skin contact, or sexually, and does not result from an infection by a pathogen. Therefore, it is entirely possible for people with vitiligo to donate their blood or platelets, without fear of transmitting their disease.

What are the main contraindications to blood or platelet donation?

While vitiligo does not prevent one from donating blood or platelets, it is important to note that there are still certain contraindications. Thus, individuals with a blood-borne infection, such as viral hepatitis, malaria, or HIV for example, cannot donate their blood or platelets. The same applies to those who have spent more than a year in the UK between 1980 and 1996, due to an increased risk of exposure to the agent of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, those who have received growth hormone treatment and those with a history, even if it's old, of intravenous drug use.

Other criteria, related to the recent undertaking of certain healthcare procedures, such as vaccinations or surgical operations, tattooing or piercing, are considered to determine if you can donate your blood or platelets. Finally, to donate your blood or platelets, it is necessary to be between 18 to 70 years old and weigh more than 50 kg.