Vitiligo is a disorder in which white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. This happens because the cells that make pigment (color) in the skin are destroyed. These cells are called melanocytes. Vitiligo can also affect the mucous membranes and on the eye.
Vitiligo: A Common Cause of Loss of Skin Pigment
Melanin is the pigment that gives the skin its characteristic color. Vitiligo is caused by a loss of pigment in the skin, due to the destruction of pigment-forming cells known as melanocytes. Although vitiligo affects all races equally, it is more noticeable in dark-skinned people. Vitiligo can cause cosmetic problems.
Who is affected by vitiligo?
Many people develop it in their twenties, but it can occur at any age. The disorder affects all races and both sexes equally, however, it is more noticeable in people with dark skin.
People with certain autoimmune diseases (such as hyperthyroidism) are more likely to get vitiligo than people who don't have any autoimmune diseases. Scientists do not know why vitiligo is connected with these diseases. However, most people with vitiligo have no other autoimmune disease.
Vitiligo may also run in families. Children whose parents have the disorder are more likely to develop vitiligo. However, most children will not get vitiligo even if a parent has it.
White patches on the skin are the main sign of vitiligo. These patches are more common in areas where the skin is exposed to the sun. The patches may be on the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Other common areas for white patches are:
- The armpits and groin (where the leg meets the body)
- Around the mouth
- Eyes
- Nostrils
- Navel
- Genitals
What causes vitiligo?
The cause is not known. Vitiligo may be an autoimmune disease. These diseases happen when your immune system mistakenly attacks some part of your own body. In vitiligo, the immune system may destroy the melanocytes in the skin. It is also possible that one or more genes may make a person more likely to get the disorder.
Some researchers think that the melanocytes destroy themselves. Others think that a single event such as sunburn or emotional distress can cause vitiligo. But these events have not been proven to cause vitiligo.
How is vitiligo treated?
Treatment may help make the skin look more even. The choice of treatment depends on:
- The number of white patches
- How widespread the patches are
- The treatment the person prefers to use.
Some treatments are not right for everyone. Many treatments can have unwanted side effects. Treatments can take a long time, and sometimes they don't work.
Current treatment options for vitiligo include medical, surgical, and other treatments. Most treatments are aimed at restoring color to the white patches of skin.
Medical treatments include:
- Medicines that you take by mouth
- Medicines (such as creams) that you put on the skin
- A treatment that uses medicine plus ultraviolet A (UVA) light.
- Removing the color from other areas so they match the white patches.
Surgical treatments include:
- Tattooing small areas of skin.
- Skin grafts from a person's own tissues. The doctor takes the skin from one area of a patient's body and attaches it to another area. This is sometimes used for people with small patches of vitiligo.
For vitiligo treatment, you may consult to Dr. Manju Keshri Senior Dermatologist at KEMPS Skin Clinic, Vaishali Ghaziabad. She has experience of treating Vitiligo and provide you best consultancy & treatment regarding this.
