Vitiligo

Overview

Vitiligo is a skin condition in which the skin looses melanin. It is the element which determines the color of your skin, eyes and hair. The cells that produce melanin die and this causes vitiligo. Lack of melanin causes the white patches to enlarge on the skin in irregular shapes. It affects people of all ages. But, it will be more noticeable in people with darker skin.

It starts as a small spot and spreads over time. The progression of pigment loss can be stopped or slowed down with the treatment.

Signs & symptoms

The main sign is the milky-white patches on the skin as a result of pigment loss. The other common signs of vitiligo are:

• Color loss of tissues that line inside the mouth
• Color loss or change in color of the inner layer of the eye
• Graying or premature whitening of the hair on the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard etc.

Vitiligo can affect any part of your body. It usually develops first on the sun-exposed areas of the skin such as hands, feet, arms, lips and face. Sometimes, genitals nay also get affected.

Causes

The main reason for vitiligo is failure of melanocytes to produce melanin. Melanin gives normal color to the skin. The reason for the failure is not known yet. Doctors and researchers give many theories as the cause of vitiligo. Some of them say that, it may be due to an immune system disorder. Vitiligo can also be hereditary. Any of these theories are not yet proven and the definite cause of vitiligo is still unknown.

Diagnosis

The doctor will first examine your medical history and also will have a physical examination. He/she will help you to rule out if you have any other skin diseases. The doctor will use device called Woods lamp to find out whether you are infected with vitiligo or not. It uses ultraviolet shines on to the skin for diagnosis.

Treatments

The main medical therapies for vitiligo may include:

• Topical corticosteroid therapy
• Topical Immunomodulators
• Topical psoralen plus ultraviolet A
• Oral psoralenphotochemotherapy
• Narrowband ultraviolet B therapy
• Excimer laser and
• Depigmentation etc.

All these should be applied only under the guidance of your dermatologist. He/ she will help you to suggest the best method for you. The doctor can also describe you the side effects and benefits of these therapies for you.

Other surgical therapies may include:

• Autologous skin grafts
• Suction Blister grafting
• Tattooing etc.

Some doctors may also apply certain experimental therapies to treat vitiligo.

• Suction blister technique over the eyelid- special considerations. Nanda S, Relhan V, Grover C, Reddy BSN. Dermatologic Surgery. (Accepted).