Vitiligo
Vitiligo disease or skin disorder is due to pigmentary loss. The patients with Vitiligo develops white patches on the skin which is due to the loss of melanin in melanocytes. The severity and the location of the white patches of Vitiligo differs from person to person. The common areas where the white patches of Vitiligo commonly experienced are mostly sun exposed area i.e hands, face, upper part of the chest it also develops mostly around body openings which include eyes, nostrils, mouth, nipples, umbilicus, genitalia or the body folds like arm pits and groin. Sites of injury cuts, scrapes or burns are also affected by Vitiligo. Hair may also be affected once the Vitiligo starts to spread and early greying of hair of the scalp, beard or other areas are visible. It is also been observed that area immediately surrounding pigmented moles are most commonly affected by Vitiligo. Also some times Choroid of the eye is affected by Vitiligo in a Vitiligo patient due to loss of pigmentation.The term Vitiligo is believed to be derived from Latin word in which the prefix Vitium means “Mark or blemish” and “ligo” in Latin is commonly used as Cause or bind. It is also believed that Vitiligo has existed at least as long as the recorded history of man, and probably before that, as similar conditions are seen in many other animals. References to Vitiligo white patches are mentioned in the bible, and in ancient Chinese and Greek writings too.
Vitiligo is commonly acquired chronic disease it is recorded that Vitiligo affects approximately 1 to 2 percent of the population which means roughly 1 out of every 200 people anywhere are affected by Vitiligo. It is suspected that some countries may have higher incidents of Vitiligo, for various genetic and societal reasons. Most cases of Vitiligo has been observed in United States.100 million people is roughly the population of California, New York, Arizona, Illinois, Florida and Texas combined who are affected by Vitiligo disease.
Vitiligo disease affects all ethnic groups with the same frequency regardless of race or gender. Ninety-five percent of people who have Vitiligo develop it before their 40th birthday, mostly in young age between the ages of 10 and 30.Even on remote islands where the population is completely homogenous, instances of Vitiligo has been seen.
A patient of Vitiligo develops white patches on his skin due to the loss or destruction of pigment cell called as melanin. These melanin are found in melanocytes which determines the color of skin, hair and even eyes. The white spots of Vitiligo occurs on the skin when the pigment cells or melanocytes are or unable to produce melanin.
There are many conflicts about the cause of deficiency of pigmentary cells or in simpler words cause of Vitiligo. But according to research the common aspects for the causes of Vitiligo are Physical and mental stress, Autoimmune Disease, Genetic predisposition or susceptibility, Sunburn, Skin Trauma or frequent contact with chemicals.
Except for white patches there are no other symptoms of Vitiligo. But in a very cases itchiness has been experienced by the patients of Vitiligo. Also White hairs can occur within an area of Vitiligo and early graying or whitening of scalp hair can also occur. Similar white patches of Vitiligo may occur on both the mucous membranes (tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose), and perhaps in the retina (inner layer of the eye), eyelashes and eyebrows.
There is no cure for Vitiligo now. Vitiligo is probably caused by a variety of factors interacting in specific ways. Research has advanced the understanding of some of aspects of Vitiligo, but the actual cause and cure are still unknown.
Today, with more research more treatments options available than ever before. In addition to the traditional therapies such as the PUVA system and steroid creams, new technologies have been developed, such as topical Immunomodulators, narrowband UVB, corrective make up and Natural treatments for Vitiligo.
