World Vitilogo Day (26 June)
Vitiligo is a genetic and autoimmune skin disorder in which skin loses its natural color due to lack of pigmentation.
They are caused when melanocytes within the skin starts to die off, which means the skin essentially loses its colour. Melanocytes are the cells which produce the skin pigment (colour) called melanin. In vitiligo, there are not enough working melanocytes to give colour. There are no clear reasons why this occurs.
Vitiligo usually develops before age 40, and people suffering with this disorder develop white and irregularly shaped patches on different skin areas. While these patches can remain small or they can grow into quite large sizes. They can affect any part of the body, including the mouth, hair, and eyes. Vitiligo can affect people of any age, gender, or ethnic group - it may be more noticeable in people with darker skin. It is hard to predict whether the patches will spread and how far they will spread. It can take just weeks, or the patches may remain the same for months or even years.
It can change the color of hair and eyes, and white patches can also appear inside the mouth. Individuals with vitiligo are more susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer, hair loss, eye problems, and psychological distress.
Whilst vitiligo starts on your face, it can also start in your neck, hands and in the creases of your skin.
Other symptoms include:
- Premature whitening or greying of the hair closer to your scalp, as well as lightening of eyelashes, eyebrows, or facial hair.
- Loss of colour or a change of colour to the retina (inner layer of the eyeball).
- Loss of colour around the mouth and nose.
If you or a loved one are exhibiting any of the above symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor who can help you come to terms with the skin condition and find ways to treat it.
As this skin disorder is relatively unknown and there is false information spread, here are some facts:
- There is currently no cure for vitiligo. There are treatments that may improve the appearance of the skin and even slow down the growth of the light patches on the skin.
- Vitiligo is not contagious.
- Vitiligo can cause white patches anywhere on your body. It can affect different areas. The patches are usually symmetrical and spread over your entire body.
- Vitiligo is quite painless.
- Vitiligo is photosensitive which means the affected areas react to sunlight. The doctor will advise you on how to look after your skin when you are outside.
It is important that we show acceptance and understanding to the person suffering from vitiligo, because they may be struggling with it on a psychological level.