Vitiligo is very simply described as a skin condition entailing a pigmentation disorder. The one having Vitiligo experiences white patches on skin (different parts of the body) because the melanocytes (the cells that make this pigment) are destroyed. The similar patches also appear on the mucus membranes and the retina. The mucus membranes are the tissues that line the interior of the mouth and the nose and the retina is the inner layer of the eye ball.
Causes
Though doctors and researchers have been able to track down a few possible reasons behind vitiligo, it should still be maintained that the exact cause behind the same is yet to be discovered. If you hold discussions with a credentialed Dermatologist in Delhi today, he will actually tell you that there are different theories working here. There are a few substantial evidences of people being genetically predisposed to this particular skin condition. Depigmentation is also attributed to a person’s immune system. It is often touted as an auto immune disease which occurs when a person’s immune system reacts against the body’s own tissues and organs.
If you are not aware, please be informed that your body produces proteins known as cytokines. Vitiligo, as per experts, changes these pigment-producing cells eventually leading them to their death.
There is another theory which suggests that the melanocytes destroy themselves. There are others who have reported that single events like sunburn or emotional distress have actually led to vitiligo. The single events mentioned here, however, are not scientfically proven reasons behind this skin condition.
Other Risks
It has been opined that vitiligo is often associated with other risks such as:
- Social alienation
- Psychological distress
- Hearing loss
- Skin cancer
- Sunburn
- Eye problems
- Side effects of treatment range from dry skin to itchy skin
It can well be imagined that social alienation is caused because of the embarrassment caused by the white patches on skin. At times, the hair growing on the affected regions also turns white. Those experiencing vitiligo are often seen grappling with a sense of inferiority complex – quite frankly because the conventional sense of beauty takes a hit with those patches appearing on different parts of the body.
What are the numbers saying?
As far as the numbers are concerned, around 0.5 to 1 per cent of the population is affected by vitiligo. Though the early signs of the disorder may appear at any age, it’s mostly in the mid-twenties when one might see them appearing on their skin.
Talk to a qualified Dermatologist in Delhi in order to be duly guided in this regard. Ask him if early treatment offers possible avenues of prevention of further spread of the disease or not.
As has already been noted above, vitiligo is often found to run in families. Children who have got one of their parents with vitiligo may suffer the same fate. Knowing this, you may ask your dermatologist in Delhi whether there’s a way in which you can prevent this from occuring (as far as your children are concerned) since you have vitiligo.