Vitiligo
Vitiligo or leukoderma is a chronic skin condition that causes loss of pigment, resulting in irregular pale patches of skin. The precise cause of vitiligo is complex and not fully understood. There is some evidence suggesting it is caused by a combination of auto-immune, genetic, and environmental factors. The population incidence in the United States is considered to be between 1% and 2%.
Half of people with vitiligo develop patches of de-pigmented skin appearing on extremities before their 20s. The patches may grow or remain constant in size. Patches often occur symmetrically across both sides on the body. Occasionally small areas may repigment as they are recolonised by melanocytes. The location of vitiligo affected skin changes over time, with some patches re-pigmenting and others becoming affected.
In some cases, mild trauma to an area of skin seems to cause new patches - for example around the ankles. Vitiligo may also be caused by stress that affects the immune system, leading the body to react and start eliminating skin pigment. Vitiligo on the scalp may affect the color of the hair, leaving white patches or streaks. It will similarly affect facial and body hair.
There are a number of ways to alter the appearance of vitiligo without addressing its underlying cause. In mild cases, vitiligo patches can be hidden with makeup or other cosmetic solutions. If the affected person is pale-skinned, the patches can be made less visible by avoiding sunlight and the sun tanning of unaffected skin. However, exposure to sunlight may also cause the melanocytes to regenerate to allow the pigmentation to come back to its original color.
Phototherapy is also beneficial. Exposure to long-wave ultraviolet light from the sun or from UVA lamps, together with Psoralen, called "PUVA", can help in many cases. Psoralen can be taken in a pill 1-2 hours before the exposure or as a Psoralen bath or soaking the area before the exposure.
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Vitiligo
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