Iomikoe Johnson, a 43-year-old woman from Texas, has made a remarkable claim about her skin changing color after suffering two strokes. Ms. Johnson has been living with vitiligo, an autoimmune condition that causes the loss of skin color in patches, since she was 25 years old. Approximately 60 percent of her body has turned white due to the condition. However, after her strokes, she noticed a reversal in her vitiligo symptoms, leading her to believe that it may be linked to the medication prescribed to her post-strokes.

Ms. Johnson's vitiligo initially started under her eye and on her arm but gradually spread across her body over the years. Following the strokes, she began taking seven different medications to prevent future episodes. She suspects that these medications have caused changes in her skin color.

Vitiligo is a chronic disorder characterized by the destruction of skin cells that produce pigment, resulting in the skin turning a milky-white color. While there is currently no cure for vitiligo, certain treatments may help restore lost skin color. Typically, the skin first starts changing color around the hands, face, genitals, or areas around body openings. Premature whitening or graying of the hair on the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, or beard is also common among people with vitiligo. This condition can affect individuals of all skin types, though it is most noticeable in people with black or brown skin.

Ms. Johnson recalls the initial appearance of her vitiligo and the subsequent worsening of her condition. Eventually, she suffered a stroke in 2020, which left her with slurred speech, blurry vision, and a loss of motor skills. Following this, she went through six weeks of physical therapy to regain her strength and functions. Three years later, she experienced another stroke that caused her to collapse while walking.

Testing revealed that Ms. Johnson suffers from a blood clotting disorder that increases the risk of strokes, as it leads to the formation of clots throughout the body. Since her strokes, she claims that some of her pigmentation has returned to its original shade before her vitiligo started. The changes have been most noticeable in her nose and forehead. Ms. Johnson believes that the combination of medications she takes to reduce her risk of strokes may have contributed to this re-pigmentation.

While some medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, malaria preventatives, and anti-psychotics, have been suggested to cause skin discoloration, the British Heart Foundation notes that discoloration from blood thinners may be due to bruising. Stroke itself can also lead to changes in skin color. The American Stroke Association states that complications, including pain and changes in skin color, can affect about 30 to 40 percent of stroke survivors.

It remains uncertain if Ms. Johnson's skin will continue to change color as she continues taking stroke-preventing medications. Regardless, she has embraced her skin condition and has even begun modeling. She asserts her self-love and confidence, stating, "I am beautiful and unique in my own way, and I really don't care what people think. I'm owning who I am and living life my way."

Vitiligo is a common autoimmune skin disease caused by a lack of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. Although the immune system attacks the pigment cells, triggering painless white patches on exposed areas, the exact cause and triggers of vitiligo are not fully understood. Stressful events, hormonal changes, and genetic factors are believed to play a role. While there is no cure for vitiligo, early treatment can help reverse pigment loss.