It's a loss of skin color and occurs when pigment-producing cells die or stop functioning.
Vitiligo is a long-term condition where pale white patches develop on the skin.
The loss of skin color can affect any part of the body, including the mouth, hair, and eyes. Vitiligo may be more noticeable in people with tanned or darker skin.
Resource: mayoclinic.org
Vitiligo affects all ages, races and genders equally and at least 0.5% to 2% of the population. Although vitiligo can develop in anyone at any age, it most commonly appears in people ages 10 to 30 years.
Resource: avrf.org
There are two main types - generalized vitiligo and segmental vitiligo. For these types of vitiligo, the cells that create skin pigmentation are destroyed, creating patches of lighter skin.
Resource: myvitiligoteam.com or clevelandclinic.org
Vitiligo can affect any area of skin, but it commonly happens on the face and hands.
The areas of skin most commonly affected by vitiligo include:
Resource: nhs.uk
There's a growing body of scientific research that suggests there's really no significant increased risk of melanoma or nonmelanoma skin cancers in skin affected by vitiligo or in the rest of the skin, even if someone has had ultraviolet light therapy.
So the same gene that increases a person’s risk for developing vitiligo decreases their risk for developing skin cancer?
Yes. It’s the TYR gene. Another gene called human leukocyte antigen-A2 is protective against melanoma but is also the risk gene for developing vitiligo.
Resource: myvitiligoteam.com
Evidence suggests it may have a genetic component. Approximately 25 percent to 50 percent of those with vitiligo also have a relative with vitiligo, while 6 percent may have a sibling who has it as well.
Resource: myvitiligoteam.com
Yes. You can get sunburned on a cloudy, cool, overcast, hot or sunny day. The UV index can be higher than on a sunny day. Always check the UV index.
Resource: myvitiligoteam.com
It's not contagious in any way. You cannot develop vitiligo from physical contact, sexual acitivity or sharing utensils.
Vitiligo is a long-lasting disorder that causes areas of skin to lose color.
There is no cure for vitiligo. Treatment goals are to slow or stop the disease, help skin cells that make color to grow again, and to bring back color to the white patches of skin.
Talking to a counselor, find support groups (in-person or online: Google, Facebook groups. Research which community is best for you) and reaching out to family and friends for support can help you cope.
Try to reduce your stress level by doing exercise; getting enough sleep and always put on sunblock when staying outside. Sun damage could induce or aggravate Vitiligo.
There is no medical evidence that vitiligo is related to diet. But eating dark colored vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, nuts, and oats can promote healing of vitiligo. Minimize consumption of alcohol and spicy foods.
If your levels of vitamin D are low, then you might consider supplementation. Our bodies get vitamin D from sun exposure and certain foods like oily fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods. In a study, people with low levels of vitamin D had more active vitiligo than those whose levels were within the normal range.
There are many out there and always do your research. Treatments can be expensive.