Vitiligo 

Vitiligo causes patches of skin to lose their color or pigment. Vitiligo patches appear when melanocytes (the cells responsible for producing melanin) within the skin are destroyed. Melanin gives skin its color and protects it from the sun's ultraviolet rays. In vitiligo, the immune system destroys melanocytes - the cell that produces melanin. Most people are okay with the skin color - but some seek treatments, which may include - UV light wavelengths and medications to restore the natural body color and slow the development of new depigmented patches. Globally 1% of the general population has vitiligo. 

What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a skin issue which causes the skin to lose its color, but also affects eyes, inside of the mouth, and hair as well. In some cases the skin of the person remains discolored, while some pigmentation goes away over time. Typically, vitiligo begins as a few tiny white macules or patches that may eventually spread throughout your body. Although vitiligo usually starts on the hands, forearms, feet, and face, it can affect any area of your body, including the mucous membranes in your eyes, inner ears, mouth, nose, and vaginal and rectal regions. 

Larger patches can occasionally keep growing and spreading, although they typically remain in one location for many years. Because some parts of skin lose and regain pigment throughout time, the location of smaller macules varies. The affected skin differs depending on the individual receiving the vitiligo diagnosis. While some people only have a few places of depigmentation, others experience a complete loss of skin tone. 

Types of Vitiligo

Among the vitiligo types are: 

• Generalized: The most prevalent kind of vitiligo, which results in macules appearing all over your body, is this one. 
• Segmental: This kind only affects a single side or bodily part, like the hands or face. 
• Mucosal: Mucosal vitiligo affects the vaginal and/or oral mucous membranes. 
• Focal: Within a year to two years, the macules of a rare type of vitiligo develop in a small area and do not spread in a specific pattern. A bullseye with a white or colorless center, a region with lighter pigmentation, and an area of your natural skin tone are caused by the trichomes. 
• Universal: More than 80% of your skin will be pigment-free due to this uncommon form of vitiligo. 

Symptoms 

Symptoms of vitiligo include: 

• Patchy skin color loss that typically starts on the hands, face, and in the vicinity of genitalia and bodily openings 
• Premature graying or whitening of your beard, eyebrows, eyelashes, or scalp hair 
• Loss of color in the mucous membranes, the tissues lining the inside of the nose and mouth
• Though it can begin at any age, vitiligo typically manifests before the age of thirty

Depending on your form of vitiligo, it could have an impact on: 

• This kind of vitiligo, known as worldwide vitiligo, discolors almost every surface of the skin which affects almost every surface of the skin. 
• In the most prevalent kind, known as generalized vitiligo, the discolored patches frequently spread symmetrically (in a similar manner) over matching body parts. This kind, known as segmental vitiligo, usually starts earlier in life, advances for a year or two, and then stops. 
• This kind is known as focal, or localized, vitiligo that affects one or a small number of bodily parts. 
• The hands and face. This variant of vitiligo, known as acrofacial vitiligo, affects the skin of the hands and face, as well as the areas surrounding body openings including the ears, nose, and eyes. 
• It's hard to say how this illness will develop. Without therapy, the patches may occasionally stop developing. Pigment loss typically progresses and eventually affects the majority of the skin. The skin sometimes regains its original hue. 

Causes of Vitiligo 

When melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives your skin, hair, and eyes their color, die or cease to function, vitiligo results. The affected skin areas lighten or turn white. The precise reason behind the failure or death of these pigment cells is unknown. It might have something to do with: 

• An immune system ailment (autoimmune disease) 
• Heredity 
• An incident that sets off a chain reaction, such tension, a bad sunburn, or skin harm from chemicals 

Diagnose 

A visual examination by a healthcare provider usually leads to an accurate diagnosis of vitiligo. Your healthcare professional might examine the skin with a Wood's lamp. This lamp helps the doctor distinguish vitiligo from other skin diseases by shining an ultraviolet (UV) light onto the affected region of the skin. The healthcare practitioner may also inquire about the patient's family's medical history in addition." 

Treatment

Since vitiligo is purely cosmetic and poses no health risks, there is no need for treatment. The healthcare provider can assist you in finding a treatment option to achieve a uniform skin tone by either depigmenting (removing leftover pigmentation from your skin) or repigmenting (restoring color) if you have extensive vitiligo or your physical symptoms are affecting your mental well-being. 

Vitiligo treatments include: 

• Medicines - While there isn't a specific prescription drug that can stop vitiligo from harming the skin, there are some that can help melanocytes rebuild, slow down the rate at which pigmentation is lost, or restore color to your skin. Among the drugs used to cure vitiligo are: 
  • Corticosteroids 
  • Anti-calcineurin agents 
  • Topical inhibitors of Janus kinase (ruxolitinib) 
• Light Treatment - The skin can be treated with light therapy or phototherapy to help restore its color. For a brief period of time, the doctor may use light boxes, ultraviolet B (UVB) lamps, or medical-grade lasers to your skin. To see improvements on the skin, multiple light therapy sessions may be necessary - the doctor usually suggests that. 
• Depigmentation - The goal of depigmentation therapy is to match the color of the vitiligo-affected portions of your skin to your normal skin tone. Monobenzone is a medication used in depigmentation therapy, which can be applied to areas of your skin that are pigmented. This will cause the parts of your skin that have vitiligo to turn white. 
• Surgery - An option for treatment for those with vitiligo is surgery. Surgical interventions could involve: 
  • Skin grafts: A portion of your body's skin is removed and utilized to cover another. Complications could include infection, scarring, or inability to repigment. Another name for this is micro grafting. 
  • Blister grafting: This procedure involves applying suction to your skin to form a blister, which is subsequently removed by your healthcare professional to fuse the blister to a vitiligo-affected part of your skin. 
• Counseling - For some individuals with vitiligo, seeking therapy or seeing a mental health professional might be helpful in addressing issues related to sadness, anxiety, or low self-esteem that may be causing skin changes. In addition to affecting a person's view and social relationships, vitiligo can lead to psychological discomfort. In the event that this occurs, your caregiver might advise you to go to a support group or schedule a counseling session. 

When to See a Doctor? 

If you see any regions of your skin, hair, or mucous membranes losing color, consult your healthcare professional. There is no treatment for vitiligo. However, therapy may be able to reverse or lessen the discoloration and restore part of your skin's natural color. 

Home Remedy for Vitiligo? 

While there is no proven home remedy to cure vitiligo, some natural approaches may help manage symptoms or slow its progression. These include - 

• Ginkgo biloba supplements, which may help repigment the skin 
• Applying aloe vera gel to affected areas for its anti-inflammatory properties 
• Consuming foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins, especially B12, C, and E Incorporating turmeric into your diet or applying it topically 
• Using natural oils like coconut, olive, or black seed oil on the skin 
• Practicing stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga may not 

It's important to note that these remedies are not scientifically proven and work for everyone. Always consult a dermatologist before trying any new treatment, as they can provide medically sound advice and treatments tailored to your specific 
case. 

Prevention 

There is no known technique to avoid vitiligo because it might have a variety of causes. There are several ways to lower your chance of vitiligo - 

• Adopting sensible sun exposure practices. 
• Applying a moisturizer on a daily basis to take care of your skin. 
• Preventing physical harm or stress to your body. 
• Taking care of any autoimmune diseases that may exist. 
• Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or above 

FAQs 

Q1. Is vitiligo contagious?

Ans. Vitiligo is not contagious or infectious, and cannot be spread by contact, blood, saliva, or sharing personal belongings. 

Q2. Will skin get its pigment back? 

Ans. Approximately 10-20% of the population who have vitiligo regain their skin color - so yes, the chances are the skin might get the pigment back. 

Q3. At what age does vitiligo start? 

Ans. Anyone can be affected by vitiligo - there is no certain age limit. However, as per the stats, most commonly people over 20 years get vitiligo. 

Q4. Is the sun bad for vitiligo? 

Ans. Yes. Sun exposure is bad for vitiligo - so always put sunscreen and cover your skin while being out in the sun. 

CARE Medical Team