Vitiligo

Vitiligo (vit-ih-lie-go) is a non-contagious, non-life-threatening disease of the skin. The disease affects the skin in any part of the body. People with vitiligo have white patches on areas of the body. It can affect the skin on any part of your body. It may also affect the hair, the inside of the mouth and even the eyes. The condition is more noticeable in dark-skinned people although all races can be equally affected. The rate and extent of color loss is unpredictable.

What causes vitiligo?

The color of the skin and hair is determined by the amount of melanin. The pigment-forming cells of the body known as melanocytes produce melanin that determines the characteristic normal color of the skin. When melanocytes are destroyed by your body, vitiligo occurs. The destruction is unexplainable and maybe due to an immune response of the body. Said in another way: Your immune system attacks or destroys the melanocytes. There is no known cause or explanation. It happens right inside the body of affected individuals. Trigger events include: exposure to industrial chemicals, sunburn, and stress.

Who can be affected?

Vitiligo affects up to 2% of the population. Both men and women are equally likely to develop vitiligo. In many cases, the disorder starts between the ages of 10 and 30 years. 90% of those affected with vitiligo will develop the disorder before age 40. Vitiligo may be present in the genes or it may run in families. Those with family history of premature graying of hair are at increased risk for the development of vitiligo.

Symptoms

It presents itself as a rapid pigment loss on areas of the skin. The initial appearance of the white patches may stop and become stable without any progression. Later on, cycles of loss of pigmentation and stability may be observed.

Diagnosis

Your doctor may incidentally or accidentally diagnose vitiligo during physical examination.

Treatment

No drugs can stop the process of vitiligo. Treatment for vitiligo may improve the appearance of the affected skin but does not cure the disease.

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent vitiligo. However, several methods, including the use of cosmetics, corticosteroid creams, and UV light therapy may improve the appearance of skin severely affected by vitiligo.