Vitiligo
What is Vitiligo ?
Vitiligo (vit-ih-LIE-go) is a disease that causes loss of skin color in patches. The discolored areas usually get bigger with time. The condition can affect the skin on any part of the body. It can also affect hair and the inside of the mouth.
Normally, the color of hair and skin is determined by melanin. Vitiligo occurs when cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning. Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, but it may be more noticeable in people with brown or Black skin. The condition is not life-threatening or contagious. It can be stressful or make you feel bad about yourself. Treatment for vitiligo may restore color to the affected skin. But it doesn’t prevent continued loss of skin color or a recurrence.
Symptoms
- Patchy loss of skin color
- Premature whitening or graying of the hair
- Loss of color in the tissues
- Patches of mucous membranes
- Patches of hair on your body
- Patches may gradually enlarge and spread over time
- Inflammation in the ear
- Inflammation or swelling in the eye
- Patches and spots sunburn easily
- Patches itch
Cause
Vitiligo occurs when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) die or stop producing melanin, the pigment that gives your skin, hair, and eyes their color. The involved patches of skin become lighter or white. It’s unclear exactly what causes these pigment cells to fail or die. It may be related to A disorder of the immune system (autoimmune condition). Family history (heredity). A trigger event, such as stress, severe sunburn, or skin trauma, such as contact with a chemical.
Risk Factors
Anyone can develop vitiligo. But you may be more likely to develop it if you have a family history of the condition. Have frequent direct contact with phenol-containing chemicals, such as those found in some detergents.
When to see a Doctor
See your health care provider if areas of your skin, hair or mucous membranes lose coloring. Vitiligo has no cure. But treatment might stop or slow the discoloring process and return some color to your skin.