Loss of Skin Pigmentation
Pigmentation means coloring. The color of the skin is determined by the skin pigment, Melanin. This Skin pigment is produced by melanocytes cells, which are responsible to impart color to skin, hairs and iris of the eye. The amount of melanin produced by melanocytes determine the skin complexion of a person. This depend upon race and environmental factors. Fair complexion people produce very little amount of melanin(skin pigment), dark skin people produces most amount of melanin. However, certain condition and factors can lead to loss of pigmentation resulting in change of skin color and irregular white patches of skin.
Loss of pigmentation is caused due to impaired function of melanocytes, which are not able to make enough amount of melanin required by the body. The area of skin which is less in pigments turns white. In few cases there is also loss pigmentation from all over the body turning a person white. Darcel de Vulgt and Michael Jackson are its example. The exact cause of sudden loss of pigments is unknown but autoimmune disease, genetics and environmental factors are suspected to be the main causes. Also there are diseases and factors which related loss of skin pigmentation.
They can be categorised as following:
Diseases Cause Loss of Skin pigmentation
1. Immunological
- Vitiligo
- Halo nevus
- HIV
- Pityriasis Alba
2. Congenital
- Albinism
3. Infection
- Leprosy
- Tinea Versicolor
- Oral Cancer
4.Occupational/ Chemical
- Skin Trauma
- Severe burns
- Contact With Chemicals
