Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a disorder of where the natural color and pigment in the skin is lost. Vitiligo affects nearly 1% of the population worldwide. This shows up on the skin as white patches. The hairs in the affected areas may turn white.

WHAT CAUSES VITILIGO?

Vitiligo appears to have a genetic basis to it. There are several reasons that scientists believe are the cause for vitiligo:

1) Autoimmune cause: The body’s immune system is believed to attack it’s own pigment producing cells in the skin and hair follicles.

2) Oxidative stress: Another theory is that the body has enhanced oxidative stress that leads to loss of

Stress, such as sunburn, trauma, or chemical exposure, can cause a response or and inhibit pigment-producing melanocytes, causing depigmentation. Vitiligo can occur in any individual regardless of race or age, but most cases develop in young children and adolescents. Patients with vitiligo have a loss of natural sun protection in their skin due to the lack of melanin.

TREATING VITILIGO

Although there is no cure for vitiligo, some treatments and medications have improved the disorder. Medications that reduce inflammation (such as topical steroids) applied to the affected skin areas have been reported to encourage skin pigmentation after 4 to 6 months. Additionally, light treatment has been shown to improve pigmentation in vitiligo such as narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy with a laser (excimer laser) or with booth phototherapy.

VITILIGO REFERENCES

Gawkrodger DJ, Ormerod AD, Shaw L, et al. Guideline for the diagnosis and management of vitiligo. Br J Dermatol.2008;159(5):1051-1076; PMID: 19036036
Manga P, Elbuluk N, Orlow SJ. Recent advances in understanding vitiligo. F1000Res.2016; PMID: 27635239 “