Vitiligo Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

Vitiligo is a condition in which pale white patches develop on the skin. It is also called leukoderma. In simple words, the loss of skin color happens in vitiligo. It can appear at any age. It usually appears first  between the age of 20-30. It is common in both genders and in all races. This condition is visible on people with dark complexion because of white patches. It is one of the chronic diseases of skin. The white patches can occur on any body part but the exposed areas are more susceptible. These patches are of irregular shapes. These whitish areas can get easily damaged by sun rays. So people with vitiligo should be very careful when going out. It is a lifelong condition.

Types

There are two main types of vitiligo,

1. Segmental vitiligo

2. Non-segmental vitiligo

Segmental Vitiligo

In segmental vitiligo, white patches are limited to one part of your body. It is also known as unilateral or localized vitiligo.  It is less common than the other type. There is no link between autoimmune disorders and segmental vitiligo. This type is more common in children. It usually begins at an early age and stops after a year or so.

Non-segmental Vitiligo

In non-segmental vitiligo, white patches appear on both sides of the body. For example, on both hands or on both knees. It is also called bilateral or generalized vitiligo. This type is more common.

Symptoms

The most visible symptom of vitiligo is the appearance of pale white patches. There is little or no melanin pigment in these whitish areas. The exposed areas are more susceptible to the development of white patches such as face, neck, hands and arms. These whitish areas are surrounded by darker areas. The shades of these white areas differ from person to person. This condition is called trichrome. The hairs of scalp, beard, eyelashes and eyebrows become grey.

Causes

Vitiligo is caused by loss of melanin. Melanin is a skin pigment that gives your skin a darker shade. This pigment is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes. Melanin protects your skin from UV rays. More sun exposure causes more melanin production in your body. As a result, your skin complexion becomes darker. The numbers of melanocytes are the same in different people. But the amount of melanin produced by them varies from each other. If you have a family history of vitiligo, then you are more susceptible to this condition. According to a research, there are 50 genes that have association with vitiligo. But there is no proven connection between vitiligo and genetics. Sometimes your immune system attacks melanocytes and kills them. As a result, pale white patches develop on the skin. People suffering from autoimmune diseases are at higher risk for the development of these white patches. These diseases include psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus and Hashimoto’s disease.

Treatment

There is no cure for vitiligo. But you can reduce the appearance of white spots with the help of modern treatment options. These medications include corticosteroids creams or ointment and vitamin D analogues. Another effective option is topical immunomodulators such as calcineurin inhibitors. These inhibitors improve the immune response of skin.Surgery is another option for vitiligo such as skin grafting, punch grafting, mesh grafting and blister grafting. You can also use makeup to hide your patches. Skin tanners are also used.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the complications of vitiligo?

Eye problems, hearing loss and psychological distress are the complications of vitiligo.

What are the risk factors of vitiligo?

People with autoimmune diseases such as melanoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are at higher risk for developing vitiligo.

Is there any cure for vitiligo?

No, there is no cure for vitiligo.