Vitiligo

Vitiligo (/vɪˈtaɪlaɪɡoʊ/) is an autoimmune skin disorder that causes the loss of melanin, a pigment responsible for giving color to our skin, hair, and eyes. This results in irregular white patches on the skin. Vitiligo can affect any part of the body but most commonly appears on hands, feet, face, lips, genitalia, and around body openings.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of vitiligo is the appearance of white or lighter patches on the skin. The extent and rate of pigment loss can vary between individuals, and it may occur on any part of the body. Loss of pigmentation also affects hair, leading to its premature whitening.

Causes

The exact cause of vitiligo is unknown. However, it's believed to be an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and destroys the melanocytes, cells responsible for producing melanin. Genetics, oxidative stress, and viral triggers might play a role as well.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is usually based on the characteristics of the white patches on the skin. Wood's lamp examination, a device that uses ultraviolet light, may help confirm the diagnosis by making affected areas more visible. A biopsy may be performed if the diagnosis is uncertain.

Treatment

Several treatments are available for vitiligo. These include:

Topical Treatments

• Corticosteroids: These creams reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system, helping to slow down the spread of vitiligo and potentially repigment some areas.
• Calcineurin inhibitors: These topical medications also reduce inflammation and may help repigment some areas. They are less potent than corticosteroids but have fewer side effects.
• Depigmenting agents: If vitiligo affects a large area and repigmentation is not achievable or desirable, depigmentation can be considered. Depigmenting creams remove existing melanin from the skin to create a more even skin tone.
• Vitiligo cover lotions: These cosmetic products can be used to camouflage the white patches and improve cosmetic appearance. They come in various shades and can be applied over makeup for better coverage.

Light Therapies

• Narrowband UVB phototherapy: This treatment exposes affected areas to specific wavelengths of ultraviolet B light to stimulate melanocyte activity and repigmentation.
• PUVA therapy: PUVA stands for psoralen plus ultraviolet A light. It involves taking a medication called psoralen before exposure to UVA light to enhance its effectiveness in promoting repigmentation.

Surgical Procedures

• Skin grafting: Small pieces of healthy skin are taken from another part of the body and grafted onto the affected areas.
• Micropigmentation: This technique involves tattooing pigment into the border of vitiligo patches to create a more natural appearance. It's primarily used for facial vitiligo.

Notable Cases

Vitiligo has affected several famous individuals throughout history, such as Prince Michael Jackson, Winnie Harlow, and albinos like Michael Candelaria, also known as "The Real life Edward Scissorhands." Their stories have raised awareness about vitiligo and helped eliminate the stigma associated with this condition.

Prevention

Currently, there's no proven method to prevent vitiligo. Regular sunscreen application may help protect against sunburn and further depigmentation in affected areas. Early detection and prompt treatment can help minimize patchiness and improve the chances of successful treatment outcomes.