Vitiligo is a disease of the skin that causes the loss of skin colour in patches around the body. These patches of discolouration can occur anywhere. There is also a tendency for the affected skin area to get larger as the disease progresses. Even the hair and inside of the mouth can be affected.
This skin disease can occur in all ethnic groups, but it is more noticeable in those with naturally darker skin because of the contrast between the unaffected skin and the patches affected with vitiligo. As these areas lose pigmentation, the affected skin becomes lighter and lighter.
Vitiligo is not life-threatening and does not produce symptoms of sickness. However, it can cause insecurity in sufferers, especially if the skin on the face is affected. This can lead to low self-esteem and the fear of being seen in public.
The main symptom of vitiligo is a patchy loss of skin colour anywhere on the body. It can first affect the hands before it spreads to other parts, such as the face. The skin can appear as white, pale patches, even on those with darker complexions.
There can also be premature greying of the hair on the head, eyelashes, eyebrows, and any facial hair that is present. These symptoms can be experienced by both men and women.
Vitiligo can also affect the mucus membranes, such as the lining of the nostrils and also the tissue inside of the mouth.
Symptoms of this disease can develop at any age but are usually experienced in individuals before the age of 30.
If there are pale patches across much of the surface of the skin, then this is called universal vitiligo. However, the most common is generalised vitiligo, where pale patches appear on corresponding body parts symmetrically.
If only one part of the body is affected, then this is known as segmental vitiligo. This form of the disease produces very localised symptoms in a limited area of the body. Younger people are mostly affected by this type of vitiligo, and the symptoms can worsen for a couple of years before easing.
Those whose faces and hands are badly affected are described as having acrofacial vitiligo. The skin around the nose, eyes, and ears can be especially badly affected by loss of skin pigmentation.
Melanin determines the colour of skin and hair. Vitiligo occurs when the cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning properly, leading to a loss of skin pigmentation.
Risk factors include having vitiligo in the family. Those who suffer from certain autoimmune diseases such as Pernicious anaemia, Addison’s disease, and Psoriasis carry increased risk factors.
Diagnosis of vitiligo is made by a close inspection of the skin, with a focus on any patches displaying a loss of pigmentation. The pattern of pigmentation loss determines which type of vitiligo is present.
There is no current cure for vitiligo, but some treatments aim to restore the affected skin patches back to their natural colour. These treatments include phototherapy, oral and topical corticosteroids, and calcineurin inhibitors.
It is hard to prevent vitiligo from occurring as hereditary and autoimmune factors are what increase the chances of individuals suffering from this condition. However, staying out of the sun, avoiding artificial tanning treatments, and being careful not to sustain skin injuries such as burns, can all help.