What is vitiligo?

How does it appear in its inception?

And when is it dangerous?

And what are its treatments?

Can vitiligo be completely cured?

Vitiligo is a condition in which pale white patches appear on the skin, as a result of a deficiency of melanin, the skin pigment.

Vitiligo can affect any area of ​​skin, but it most commonly occurs on the face, neck, and hands, and in skin creases.

Pale areas of skin are more prone to sunburn - called macules - so it's important to take extra care when exposed to the sun and use a sunscreen with a high protection factor (SPF), according to the UK's National Health Service.

How does vitiligo appear in the beginning?

Vitiligo usually begins as a pale patch of skin that gradually turns completely white.

The center of the spot may be white with pale skin around it.

If there are blood vessels under the skin, the spot may be slightly pink instead of white, according to the UK's National Health Service.

The edges of the macula may be smooth or irregular.

Sometimes they are red and inflamed, or there is a brown discoloration (hyperpigmentation).

Vitiligo does not cause any skin discomfort, such as dryness, but the patches can sometimes itch.

The condition varies from person to person.

Some people develop a few small white spots, while others develop larger white spots on large areas of the skin.

There is no way to predict how much skin will be affected.

The white spots are usually permanent.

How does a person get vitiligo?

In vitiligo, the skin loses its color or pigment.

This makes the skin look lighter than the normal skin tone or turn white.

If you have vitiligo on a part of your body that has hair, your hair may turn white or silver.

Vitiligo occurs when the body's immune system destroys melanocytes, which are skin cells that produce melanin, the chemical that gives skin its color, or pigmentation, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

When is vitiligo dangerous?

Vitiligo itself is not dangerous, but it has complications such as stress and stigma.

Also, complications affecting the eye, such as uveitis.

Skin with spots is more susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer, because it lacks the pigment that works to protect the skin from sunlight.

A complication is hearing loss due to loss of melanocytes in the cochlea.

Other complications associated with medication such as skin atrophy after prolonged use of topical steroids, according to the US National Library of Medicine.

The cause of vitiligo

Vitiligo occurs as a result of a lack of skin pigment.

Why this happens is unknown.

Research indicates that vitiligo can be the result of:

1- A case of autoimmune disease

In this condition, the immune system mistakes healthy cells (melanocytes) for foreign invaders such as bacteria that can cause harm to the body.

This causes the patient's immune system to overreact and develop antibodies to destroy the melanocytes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

2- Genetic changes

A genetic mutation or change in the body's DNA can affect how melanocytes function.

There are more than 30 genes that can increase the risk of developing vitiligo.

3- Stress

The amount of pigment produced by melanocytes may change if you experience repeated emotional stress or physical stress on the body, especially after an injury.

4- Environmental stimuli

Factors such as UV light and exposure to toxic chemicals can affect how melanocytes function.

Types of vitiligo

Vitiligo Generalized

This is the most common type of vitiligo that causes patches to appear on different parts of the body.

Vitiligo segmental vitiligo

This type only affects one side of the body or one area, such as the hands or face.

Vitiligo Mucosal

Mucosal vitiligo affects the mucous membranes of the mouth or genitals.

Vitiligo Focal

Focal vitiligo is a rare type in which patches develop in a small area and do not spread in a pattern within one to two years.

Vitiligo Trichom

This type causes a spot with a white or colorless center, then an area of ​​lighter pigmentation and an area of ​​your normal skin tone.

Vitiligo Universal

This rare form of vitiligo causes more than 80% of the skin to have no pigment.

Vitiligo treatment

Vitiligo treatment is not necessary because the condition is not harmful to the body but is only cosmetic.

If you have diffuse vitiligo or your physical symptoms are affecting your emotional health, your health care provider can help you find a treatment option to create an even skin tone.

Common treatments for vitiligo include:

pharmaceutical

There is no specific medication to prevent vitiligo from affecting the skin, but there are some medications that can slow down the rate at which pigmentation is lost, or help melanocytes regrow or return color to the skin.

Phototherapy

Light therapy is a treatment to help restore color to the skin.

The light, ultraviolet B (UVB) lamps, or medical lasers are used to target the skin for a short period of time.

It can take several sessions of light therapy to see results on the skin.

Pigmentation removal treatment

Depigmentation treatment removes the natural skin tone to match the areas of skin affected by Vitiligo.

The depigmentation treatment uses monobenzone.

You can apply this medicine to pigmented patches of skin.

This will turn your skin white to match the areas of your skin affected by Vitiligo.

surgery

Surgery is a treatment option for people with vitiligo.

Surgical treatment can include skin grafts, where skin is taken from one part of the body and used to cover another.

Can vitiligo be cured?

No medication can stop the process of vitiligo — the loss of pigment cells — but some medications, when used alone or in combination with light therapy, can help restore some color, according to the Mayo Clinic.