What Is Vitiligo?
People from all over the world have different skin colors. People that come from sunny, hot climates tend to have darker skin and those in colder climates tend to be much fairer. This is a very natural phenomenon, and something we evolved to help protect us from the sun.
Regardless of skin color, we tend to have the same colored skin all over our body. Birth marks can cause patches of different color, as can having some parts of the skin exposed to the sun, and others not. There is also a medical condition known as vitiligo that can caused patches of different colors, and it can be quite visually striking.
1. Melanin
Melanin is a common type of natural pigment that is found in humans. It helps to give color to our skin, hair, and our eyes. Melanin is made naturally in our bodies by specialized cells that are known as melanocytes. Different people will have different levels of melanin than others, and this is determined by genetics.
Melanin is useful to us in a number of ways, including providing protection against the sun’s UV rays. For this reason, people of different races tend to have different colored skin according to where they live in the world. Some people will have disorders with the melanin production in their body, one of which is vitiligo.
2. Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a condition that causes our melanin producing cells to stop working, or die altogether. When this happens, the patient’s skin will not have melanin as it usually would, causing the skin to become lighter than it otherwise would be. This condition is more noticeable in people than have naturally dark skin.
When vitiligo occurs it tends to occur only in certain places, and this will result in patches of lighter color on the skin. In some cases, the patient’s entire body will be affected. It can also affect the inside of the mouth, and it can also cause the patient’s hair to be a lighter color than usual.
3. Causes
As mentioned, vitiligo occurs when there is a problem with the cells that usually produce melanin. There are numerous potential reasons why this might happen. One of these is genetics, and somebody is more likely to have the condition if there is a history of it in their family.
Vitiligo can also be caused by an autoimmune condition, which means that the patient’s immune system is attacking the cells that produce melanin. Another potential cause is an event that might cause damage to the melanocytes. This can mean things like stress, contact with certain chemicals, or maybe even severe sunburn.
4. Symptoms
The symptoms of vitiligo will usually start to appear before the patient is 30 years old, although the symptoms will start to show later in life for some people. The most typical symptom of vitiligo is light colored skin which can appear in patches pretty much anywhere on the body.
The condition can also cause the mucous membranes to become lighter in color. This includes membranes like the lining of the nasal passage, and the inside of the mouth. The patient’s hair can also turn white or grey sooner than it otherwise would and, again, this can happen in patches.
5. Different Types
Vitiligo can affect the whole body, but it is more likely to affect some areas than others. When most of the body is affected it is known as universal vitiligo. Most people will have generalized vitiligo, which means it occurs in patches. In this variety, the patches will also often be symmetrical with corresponding body parts.
Some people will have only a few areas affected, or even only one. This is known as localized vitiligo. There is also segmental vitiligo, which tends to affect younger people, and it is found in one part or on one side of the body. Another type is acrofacial vitiligo, which means then hands and face are affected, as well as areas around orifices.
6. Complications
Depending on where on the body it is, vitiligo can be very visible. This can be difficult for people to cope with and some will become very self-conscious about their physical appearance. For some, it can lead to a significant loss of quality of life as they suffer from distress when around other people.
Without the protection from UV rays that melanin provides, the patient is also more likely to get severely burned by the Sun’s rays. People with the condition will often need to make sure they cover up well, or even stay inside during sunny weather. The condition can also lead to hearing loss, and it can also cause problems with the eyes.
7. Diagnosis
The symptoms of vitiligo tend to be clear to the point that the condition can be diagnosed just by looking at the patient’s skin. A special lamp may sometimes be used to help the doctor diagnose the condition. This is often enough, but your doctor might want to request additional tests in order to be certain.
These tests can include an antinuclear antibody test, which helps to look for signs of an autoimmune condition. Blood samples will also be able to help by allowing experts to look for certain white blood cells and other cells that are associated with the condition. A skin biopsy may also be taken for further examination.
8. Medication
Vitiligo cannot be cured, and it cannot be stopped. However, it is possible to help reduce the severity of the symptoms. Certain medication is able to help restore some of the color in the skin, at least helping to make the condition less noticeable. This can be achieved with help from drugs and light therapy.
When the condition is in its earlier stages, anti-inflammatory medication like corticosteroid creams may help to restore some of the color. It is not always effective and it can be months before results are seen. Medication that helps to suppress the immune system may also be able to help in some cases.
9. Therapy
Some people find some degree of success after using light therapy. This treatment involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet B (UVB) light, and it has been able to at least slow the progress of vitiligo in some cases. Therapy is typically needed 2 or 3 times a week, and it could be months before any improvement is seen.
Light therapy is thought to be more effective when used in conjunction with medication. It is also possible to purchase the light equipment yourself so there is no need to keep on returning to a clinic. The treatment does have some unwelcome side effects, but these should clear up within a few hours of receiving the treatment.
10. Surgery
If other treatments are not successful, then there are also surgical options available. This includes blister grafting, which involves creating blisters on colored skin, and then transferring the tops of the blisters to the lighter areas. Another procedure is a cellular suspension transplant, which involves putting pigmented cells into a solution and then transferring them to affected areas.
Skin grafting is another potential treatment, which involves transferring small patches of colored skin to an affected area. Procedures like these are usually only tried after other methods have failed due to potential complications. These complications include scarring, irregular skin patterns, and infections.
