Vitiligo – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Most people with vitiligo are otherwise healthy and have normal skin texture and feel. However, the condition may be more common in people with certain autoimmune diseases — diseases in which your immune system reacts against your body’s organs or tissues — such as Addison’s disease, vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia (pernicious anemia). ), or thyroid disorders, including hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism . So, check out  Vitiligo – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments.Causes of Vitiligo :  The causes of vitiligo are still not well understood. Genetic factors appear to be important, as between 20% and 30% of patients with vitiligo have a positive family history of the disease. The disease is currently believed to have an autoimmune origin, having inadequate production of antibodies and T cells (a type of white blood cell) against melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing skin pigment .

Symptoms of Vitiligo:  Vitiligo can occur at any age, although its highest incidence occurs during the second and third decades of life. Vitiligo vulgaris is the most common subtype and diffuse plaques often cause depigmentation throughout the body . The most affected parts include spleens, hands, feet, knees, navel , lips and around the mouth, eyes, nose and genitals.

Vitiligo lesions are more apparent in people with darker skin  and appear as patches of light patches where you can easily set healthy skin from the  affected skin. Lesions are usually symmetrical body affect bilaterally. In some cases, however, vitiligo can be restricted to just half of the body.

Vitiligo can also cause depigmentation of the gums and mucous membranes, such as hair color loss  and hair loss . It is impossible to know in advance how vitiligo will develop in each patient. The clinical picture is very unpredictable and can range from a few small lesions restricted to a region of universal vitiligo , where more than 50% of the body is affected.

Treatment of Vitiligo:  In patients with focal vitiligo , restricted to small areas of the body, or those who already have fair skin  , the use of composition to camouflage lesions and sunscreen to prevent healthy areas from darkening, avoiding contrast enhancement, generally satisfactory solutions. However, in patients with darker skin and widespread lesions, particularly on the face, it is the drug treatment indicated aimed at repigmentation. The earlier treatment begins, the better; However, the answer often varies greatly from case to case.

Corticosteroid Ointments For Vitiligo:  Typically the first choice for patients with vitiligo on less than 10% of the body surface. It takes at least three months of treatment to notice results. Topical corticosteroids have a skin atrophy side  effect, so the patient should be evaluated by a dermatologist every four weeks. An option instead of steroids is topical tacrolimus or pimecrolimus. However, research is still a possible link between the use of these two drugs with an increased incidence of lymphoma for vitiligo .

Psoralen Photo Chemotherapy Components For Vitiligo: Substances capable of increasing the skin ‘s sensitivity   to ultraviolet rays and subsequent exposure to UV-A radiation is generally referred to as “PUVA”. Currently there is also the possibility of using irradiation with UV-B instead of UV-A rays, without the need for skin sensitization  with psoralens. This treatment is normally performed two to three times a week for a period of 6 to 12 months. The best results are obtained in patients with vitiligo in less than 20% of the body.

Laser Therapy  For Vitiligo :  It is another option, however it is expensive and can only be used in small areas. Insertion or melanocyte transplantation is an option in patients with stable disease for at least two years. This treatment works best in cases of vitiligo where the condition is unilateral.

Depigmentation For Vitiligo: Total with the last alternative is hydroquinone and is usually indicated in the most severe cases, with involvement of more than 50% of the body and lack of response to other treatments. Vitiligo  is permanent and leaves you very vulnerable to the effects of sunlight.