Vitiligo, which is also known as Leukoderma is a skin disorder in which white areas appear on a person’s skin. The sin starts losing its colour and white patches of 5mm or more appear on the skin. It generally effects the hands first and gradually proceeds to the forearms, feet and face. About 1% population in the world has Vitiligo. The hair on your body may also turn white if Vitiligo affects in that region. This condition usually occurs when melanocytes (the skin cells that gives skin its colour,) are destroyed by the immune system of the body.
How common is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo occurs in about 1% of global population. Vitiligo equally affects people of all races and gender. However, it is more prominent in people with darker skin. Although vitiligo can hit anyone at any age, it usually appears in people of 10 to 30 years and does not appear much in very young or very old people.
What causes Vitiligo?
Autoimmune disorder: The immune system of the affected person may develop antibodies that damage melanocytes.
Genetic factors: About 30% of vitiligo cases are hereditary.
Neurogenic factors: Nerve endings on the skin may release a substance that is harmful to melanocytes.
Self-destruction: A defect in the melanocytes causes self-destruction.
Vitiligo may also be triggered due to physical or emotional stress.
Signs and symptoms of Vitiligo
Signs and symptoms of Vitiligo include the following:
Area on the skin such as the eyes and/or the mucous membranes in your mouth or nose lose colour.
Patches of hair on your head or face become gray or white too early on.
Problems associated with Vitiligo
Because they do not have melanocytes, macules burn instead of tanning as they are more sensitive to sunlight than the rest of the skin.
People with Vitiligo may have some abnormalities in the retina of the eye and some change of colour in their irises. In few cases, there may be inflammation of the retina or iris, although it does not affect the vision in any way.
People with Vitiligo are more susceptible to other autoimmune disease such as hypothyroidism, alopecia areata, diabetes, pernicious anaemia and Addison’s disease. Also, people with autoimmune diseases are at a higher risk for getting Vitiligo.
People with Vitiligo may have a low self-esteem. The problem can be embarrassing and depressing to such an extent that the affected person does not want to socialise. Sometimes people may make rude or obscene comments which can cause a person with Vitiligo to become diffident. This in turn could cause anxiety or depression and the person may keep herself/himself isolated.
How can I prevent Vitiligo?
Since no one knows the exact causes of Vitiligo, there are no proven ways to prevent it. In general, it is best for everyone to follow safe sun exposure habits and to take proper care of your skin.
If you suffer from Vitiligo, You may undergo leucoderma treatment in Bangalore by visiting the best leucoderma clinic in Bangalore. You may need to take a prior appointment.
