Vitiligo : symptoms , causes , treatment

 VITILIGO 

Vitiligo  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 . 

The color of hair and skin is determine by melanin . vitiligo occurs when cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning . vitiligo  affects people of all skin types, it may more noticeable in people  with brown or black skin . the condition is not life - threatening or contagious . 

SYMPTOMS OF VITILIGO 

Patchy loss of skin color, which usually first appears on the hands , face , and areas around body opening and the genitals. 

Premature whitening or graying of the hair on your scalp , eyelashes, eyebrows or beard.

Loss of color in the tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose .

The areas of skin most commonly affected by vitiligo  include:

• mouth & eyes
• fingers and wrists
• armpits
• groin
• genitals
• inside your mouth

Vitiligo often starts as a pale  patch of skin that gradually turns completely white.  the center of a patch may be white, with paler skin around it. there are blood vessels under the skin, the patch may be slightly pink, rather than white. the edges of the patch may be smooth or irregular. Vitiligo  does not cause discomfort to your skin, such as dryness, but the patches may occasionally be itchy.

CAUSES OF VITILIGO

Vitiligo occurs when pigment  producing cells die or stop production melanin - the pigment that gives your skin , hair and eyes color . the patches of skin become lighter or white. it unclear exactly the causes these pigment cells to fail or die .

 

• A disorder of the immune system 
• family history
• a trigger event, such as stress , severe sunburn or skin trauma , such as contact with a chemical  .

Vitiligo is caused by the lack of a pigment called melanin in the skin . Melanin is produced  by skin cells called melanocytes, and its gives  your skin its color. there are not enough working to produce enough melanin in your skin. this causes white patches to develop on your skin or hair. 

TREATMENT OF VITILIGO 

• Topical steroid creams or ointments to help restore skin color . use these with caution because the risk of tissues damage with prolonged use, particularly on the face and skin fold areas . 
• Topical non -steroid medications , such as Tacrolimus and Pimecrolimus, which deactivate immune cells , may be benefits . 
• Ultraviolet [UV] light therapy for lesions that do not affect the joints .
• Superficial skin grafts , especially in hard to treat locations, such as over joints . 
• For very large or widespread lesions in dark - skinned patients , topical chemicals remove color the normal skin