The loss of pigment in the skin causing long-term white coloured patches onto the body, is often defined as Vitiligo. The area losing pigment is called macule. Macule turns lighter than your skin tone, often creating prominent visibility. It’s mostly visible in people with darker skin tone as the discolored area turns milky-white, having a stressful impact on the appearance.
It can affect any part of the body. Moreover, you are more likely to be affected by it before 30. However, there’s no definite age string attached to the condition. Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease having roots with other autoimmune diseases. The causes are mostly unknown but there are several clinical trials done in the past that works around the subject. You can enrol in vitiligo clinical trials to have deeper dig into the skin-disorder or factors revolving around. Perhaps, you’re someone to skim through the subject, then keep on reading the blog to know apparent causes, symptoms, and treatments dealing with it.
How Do You Recognize the Start of Vitiligo?
You may figure it out through smaller discolored patches, creating evident visibility. These patches may grow larger over a period or in some cases it may stay the same as well. Doctors or dermatologists often refer to this as ‘localized vitiligo.’
Furthermore, the scattered and increased discolored patches on other parts of the skin is called ‘generalized vitiligo’, perhaps the rarest case is when the most color of the skin is lost, and this is known as ‘universal vitiligo.’
While the most-common type of vitiligo is non-segmental vitiligo where the patches spread slowly developing on and off throughout a person’s life.
Vitiligo Stats
It is believed that around 1 to 2 percent of the entire world’s population has vitiligo. Even though, you may experience this skin-disorder at any age, but half of the patients having vitiligo has developed it before the age of 20. The rest has developed it before 40. Also, 20% of those having vitiligo related to family members having the same condition. However, the chances of a child to inherit vitiligo from his parents are just 5 to 7 percent (VeryWellHEalth, May’23).
What Are the Causes of Vitiligo?
It is believed that vitiligo is an autoimmune disease. It is when the immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells and tissues. In this case, the body attacks the melanocytes—cells capable of making the pigment of the skin. That being said, there are no clear and evident causes behind the deformation and disruption of melanin in the skin. It is in anyway believed that the disease has strings attached with genetics and inheritance.
The potential causes of vitiligo can include:
- Hereditary; if you’re related to somebody close having the skin-disorder, you’re more likely to have one. Having premature grey hair can play a role
- Autoimmune Disorder; the immune system tends to malfunction, mistaking the parts, cells or tissues of the body as foreign, hence reacting differently. It tends to attack and kill the cells of the body.
- Triggers; a traumatizing event, stress, severe sunburnt, or exposure to consequential chemicals may trigger this condition.
- Nervous dysfunction; it is believed to be the cause of segmental vitiligo.
- Other Autoimmune Diseases; you’re more likely to have vitiligo if you suffer from other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, Adison disease, celiac, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis etc.
What Could be the Complications or Risks Involved?
As much as it is said that we live in a co-existing space, the question arises do we really hold harmony and acceptance for other? Well, this could mostly be seen when we encounter somebody looking, appearing different from us. For a person having vitiligo, there are increased chances of them being socially, emotionally, and psychologically distressed. The acceptance and appearance of that person may take a toll on their mental health.
Moreover, having sensitive and conditioning skin can make them prone to sunburn as compared to the ones having normal melanin in the skin. Also, they could be at increased risk of having eye problems and hearing loss.
Symptoms of Vitiligo
While it is unpredictable to say when and how will the patches appear on the skin, it is observed it may have two broad categories. In some cases, the patches develop and expand over a period. While for others, it may occur as a spot or two and remain the same without expanding. The rarest of all is when the spots appear, grows and increases rapidly on your body.
A small spot that is usually pale and turns milky-white over a short span can be considered as the starting symptom of vitiligo. Nonetheless, it is recommended to consult the doctor at the very instant as there are other conditions that look like vitiligo. Some names on fingertips could include; Tinea versicolor, Albinism, Pityriasis alba etc.
Although sometimes one may feel an itching sensation often when you feel like your skin gets sunburnt, however, this cannot be deemed as a confirmed symptom. As the symptoms appear both physically and visually, this may exert an impact on mental health and wellbeing.
Treatments for Vitiligo
The treatment utterly depends upon your consent and it’s not necessary because the condition is not harmful for the body or its functions. Since, it’s completely cosmetic, the treatments aim to restore the pigmentation and the natural skin color. What’s noticeable is the fact that the treatment and its effectiveness may vary from person to person.
Some common routes taken to treat vitiligo may include:
- Topical Corticosteroids; these are the external use creams that help restore pigmentation by suppressing the autoimmune reaction and inflammation. They help abundantly on small macules. These may not stop vitiligo from affecting the skin but can surely slower the de-colorization and help in restoration.
- Skin Camouflage; these are the creams that camouflage the affected area with the original skin tone, making a one-toned skin. Also, some self-tanning lotions may help you with camouflaging quite well. These may conceal vitiligo for several days but might not match all skin-tones or races.
- Removal of All Skin Pigment; this could only be done after a detailed discussion and examination from the specialist. It takes almost a year and is permanent. The specialist decides to remove off all the skin pigment or make the remaining skin go white completely. So that the skin looks one-toned. This treatment is suitable for people with extensive vitiligo.
- Phototherapy; here the skin is exposed to ultraviolet light. It stimulates melanocytes reproduction and help re-pigment the skin. It is considered as one of the most effective treatments.
- Skin Grafting or Blister Grafting; surgical routes are yet another way of helping people with vitiligo. For skin grafting, one part of the skin is taken down to cover the other part or white patch. Possible complications may include scarring or infection. Whereas in blister grafting, the specialist may create a blister by using suction technique. It is then removed to be placed on the affected area. However, your specialist might not recommend either of the surgical route if you have rapidly growing patches, your skin scars easily or you develop raised scars.
- Excimer Laser; this involves the use of high beam of UVB to the affected area, hence helping the area to re-pigment itself.
- Counselling; some people may find visiting a mental health professional helpful for them. This helps them to cope up with anxiety and depression that comes along. Having a deep conversation with a mind therapist may help them improve self-esteem that has been shattered down with the discoloration process.
Accepting yourself and living with vitiligo is the most positive approach one could have; however, certain treatments and techniques can help you cope up with the disorder. There are many research centers working around the subject. You can take help from research center – Metroboston clinical partners that is a CRO or may consider learning about the subject online. Learn through clinical trials or experiences—embracing yourself and accepting is what really matters.
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Last Words
Vitiligo is not a serious disease that could possibly cause harm to the body. What differs is the approach with which you move forward. Some might embrace it with confidence, while others may find it hard to accept themselves with skin discoloration. Having enough information on the topic can help you move forward. Seeking help with the dermatologist can literally show you the possible routes that can be taken.
Finally connecting with people having same disorder can aid in understanding your feelings. It may help to calm any overwhelming situation you might encounter. Staying positive inside and out can bring favorable outcomes as well!
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