{"id":4140,"date":"2019-03-12T03:09:06","date_gmt":"2019-03-12T03:09:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mybiosource.com\/learn\/?page_id=4140"},"modified":"2023-03-19T05:55:58","modified_gmt":"2023-03-19T05:55:58","slug":"vitiligo","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mybiosource.com\/learn\/vitiligo\/","title":{"rendered":"Vitiligo"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is the patchy loss of skin coloring (pigmentation disorder<\/span>) that develops when melanocytes become lost or destroyed. Therefore, the white patches appear on the skin which can either occur as one section or all over the body that could join together (coalesce). Vitiligo<\/span> tends to progress over time and some of the cases can also have patches of pigment loss affecting the hair and the scalp. This is considered an autoimmune<\/span> disorder when the body\u2019s immune system attacks its own tissue and organs. In around 15 \u2013 25 percent of the affected cases, they also have one other autoimmune<\/span> disorder particularly rheumatoid arthritis<\/span>, type 1 diabetes<\/span>, psoriasis<\/span> and autoimmune<\/span> thyroid<\/span>. Although it can develop at any age, the average onset of the condition appears to be around the mid-twenties. Vitiligo<\/span> does not affect the overall health of the individual, but the physical appearance can cause serious psychological and emotional difficulties. There are several forms of vitiligo<\/span> that are identified. The generalized vitiligo<\/span> is considered the common form presenting loss of pigments in patches of skin all over the body. It affects the face, neck, scalp, the mouth and the genitals. It can also occur in the mucous membranes<\/span> such as the lips. Segmental vitiligo<\/span> is another form presenting patches of depigment skin affecting one side of the body in a limited area.<\/p>\n

How is it identified?<\/strong> The most obvious sign is the loss of pigmentation resulting in irregularly-shaped patches on the skin. Usually, the discoloration appears on the sun-exposed areas such as the hands, feet, arms and the face. It can also include premature graying of the hair on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelash, the beard and the loss of color of the retina<\/span>. It is not possible to predict the progression of the disease and in most cases, the condition continues to involve majority of the skin and in rare cases, the color may return back.<\/p>\n

Treatment Options<\/strong> There are many treatment options for vitiligo<\/span> which can be discussed with the dermatologist<\/span>. The treatment for vitiligo<\/span> is based on the overall health, age and the location of vitiligo<\/span>. The options can include;<\/p>\n