Vitiligo Types / Types of Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a peculiar disorder of the skin that can occur at any age. Typically it appears as a small, white patch which may grow slowly or rapidly. No one can be sure of its speed of spreading as the vitiligo causes is not known. These white patches can occur anywhere on the skin. Mostly on sun exposed areas like face, hands, neck or legs. Vitiligo is more noticeable in dark skinned individuals. It typically does not itch, burn or sting.Though the actual cause of Vitiligo is still unknown but the autoimmune disorder is believed to be a famous cause among the Vitiligo patients. The autoimmune hypothesis originates from the observation that Vitiligo is associated with some autoimmune diseases. Both cellular and harmonic factors responsible for autoimmune damage to melanocytes have been demonstrated. Also patients with Vitiligo have an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases like thyroid diseases, Addison's disease, pernicious anemia and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Auto antibodies against other organs may be detected in the absence of clinical evidence of the diseases. Since the Vitiligo causes are still undiscovered therefore there is not a sure cure for Vitiligo yet but there are many treatments for vitiligo from which some are very useful and effective.
Vitiligo patients has witnessed Vitiligo in many different patterns and due to different cause. The doctors so far are able to categorized into following types:
- Focal Vitiligo
- Mucosal Vitiligo (Segmental Vitiligo)
- Acro-facial Vitiligo
- Generalized Vitiligo
- Vitiligo Vulgaris
- Mixed Vitiligo
- Universal or Complete Vitiligo (Vitiligo totalis)
- Occupational Vitiligo (Contact Vitiligo)
