Ever come across a person with various white patches on the skin? If so, it is most likely that the person is afflicted with vitiligo. Vitiligo is a condition that affects 1 percent of the world's population. In the US, about 2 percent or up to 5 million Americans have this condition and sadly, while vitiligo is not a contagious disease, people afflicted with it are most of the time shunned and stigmatized. This is mostly because of a lack of knowledge and understanding for the condition.
The main characteristic of vitiligo is the appearance of several white patches in the body. These patches can appear at any area of the skin however, it is most common in areas that are often exposed to the sun. Vitiligo is more obvious to people with darker skin color while for some people while it is barely noticeable on some people with pale white complexion.
Not much is known about what causes vitiligo but experts believe that it may be an auto-immune disease. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, vitiligo happens when the immune system attacks the melanocytes in the skin. Some experts believe that the melanocytes destroy themselves, either way, the skin loses its natural color.
Vitiligo can occur at any age but most of the time, people develop it in their twenties. The condition surfaces before the age of 40. Both sexes can develop the condition and if a person's family has a history of vitiligo, then he/she is more likely to acquire it. Furthermore, if a person has been afflicted with an auto-immune disease like hyperthyroidism, then that person is also at risk of developing vitiligo.
The primary symptom of vitiligo is the appearance of white patches in various parts of the body. But the most common areas are around the mouth, the armpits, eyes, nostrils, genitals, hands, and feet. People with vitiligo also tend to develop gray hair at an early age while people with darker skin color may notice a loss of color inside their mouths, WebMD reports.
A physical exam can be used to diagnose vitiligo. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for vitiligo and it is mostly unpreventable. However, cosmetics can help in improving the affected areas while doctors can also try to re-pigmenting the areas through UV light therapy. Tattooing is also a good alternative to covering the areas affected.
Vitiligo can also cause intense psychological stress for the people suffering from it. Getting a doctor who is sympathetic towards their patients can help ease the emotional stress. Visiting a psychologist can also help.
