Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a disease that causes skin depigmentation The degree and speed of depigmentation is variable Lesions can develop anywhere on the body, including the hair, inside the mouth, and eyes
Normally, eye, skin and eye color is determined by melanin Vitiligo develops when melanin-producing cells die or stop working
Vitiligo is more noticeable in people with darker skin The disease is not life-threatening and contagious Vitiligo is incurable, but it is possible to improve the appearance of the affected skin
Vitiligo occurs when melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) die or stop producing melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their color Damaged areas of the skin become discolored Doctors do not know what causes the cells to die Possible causes are:
- Disturbance of the immune system, during which it attacks and destroys melanocytes
- Heredity
- Sunburn, stress or the action of some chemicals
The main symptom of vitiligo is skin depigmentation, resulting in light or white patches Usually the spots first appear on the hands, feet, shoulders, face and lips
Symptoms of vitiligo are:
- Skin depigmentation
- Premature graying or whitening of hair, eyelashes, eyebrows and beard (before age 35)
- Discoloration of the mucous membrane inside the mouth and nose
- Color of the retina
During different forms of vitiligo, spots can develop:
- All over the body At this time, spots usually appear symmetrically
- on one side of the body This form is called segmental vitiligo It usually appears at an early age and disappears within a few years
- in one or more places of the body This is called localized vitiligo
It is difficult to predict the progression of the disease Sometimes the spots go away without treatment In most cases, depigmentation spreads and eventually appears on the whole body Rarely, the skin returns to its original color
When to see your doctor See your doctor if you notice discoloration in your hair, skin, or eyes There is no cure for vitiligo, but treatment can slow or stop the depigmentation process and restore color to the skin.
