For a person affected by vitiligo, the first few white patches that appear on his skin can be quite tolerable. These patches usually appear in patterns. These patterns have three forms. One is the focal pattern wherein depigmentation occurs in a limited area. Second is the segmental pattern wherein patches appear only on one side of the body. Third, which is probably the worst one, is the generalized pattern wherein the depigmentation occurs in different areas of the body. Adding to this is the uncertainty of how the vitiligo will spread.

For some people, the white patches spread gradually while for some, in quick succession. Some findings say that emotional distress can cause the affected areas to increase in number. Common areas of appearance are the armpits, groin, around the mouth, eyes, nostril, navel, and genitals. A person with vitiligo may also have premature graying of the scalp hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, and beard.

Another surgical treatment using the pigmented skin is skin grafts using blisters. The patient’s pigmented skin is exposed to heat, which then causes blisters. These blisters are cut off and then transplanted to the depigmented area. Another simpler option is tattooing or micropigmentation. This is usually done on patients with dark skin. Tattoos, however, tend to fade in time and may even lead to blister outbreaks.

There are several other treatments for vitiligo patients. There are medical therapies, surgical therapies, and adjunctive therapies. Under medical therapies are topical steroid therapy, topical psoralen photochemotherapy, oral psoralen photochemotherapy, and depigmentation. Surgical therapy, on the other hand, include skin grafts from a person’s own tissue, skin grafts using blisters, micropigmentation or tattooing, and autologous melanocyte transplants.

Lastly, for adjunctive therapies, one can use sunscreens and cosmetics. To supplement these said therapies, one may opt to take support vitamins.

Treating vitiligo would always prove to be risky. The side effects of treatments are as unpredictable the disorder’s cause. That is why vitiligo treatment should always be done with utmost care and patience.

A person’s own tissues mat be used for surgical treatment through autologous skin grafts. The doctor removes portions of the pigmented skin and then replaces the affected skin with it. Possible complications for this treatment include infections, scarring, a cobblestone appearance, or a spotty repigmentation. The greatest risk would be the skin’s failure to repigment at all.

Another surgical treatment using the pigmented skin is skin grafts using blisters. The patient’s pigmented skin is exposed to heat, which then causes blisters. These blisters are cut off and then transplanted to the depigmented area.

Another simpler option is tattooing or micropigmentation. This is usually done on patients with dark skin. Tattoos, however, tend to fade in time and may even lead to blister outbreaks.

Lastly, vitiligo can be cured surgically through autologous melanocyte transplants. Multiplying a patient’s pigmented skin through a special cell culture solution that grows melanocytes does this. The reproduced skin then is transplanted over the depigmented areas.

Additional therapies include sunscreens, which helps protect the screen from the damaging effect of the sun. Cosmetics, on the other hand, are temporary solutions, which are used to cover up the patient’s affected areas. For vitamin supplements, which may help strengthen the body’s system thus aiding the treatment of vitiligo.

There are several strategies that can be used to cope up with the emotional stress that comes with this disorder. The most important one would be finding a doctor who has inept knowledge of vitiligo and will give the patient a firm sense of security. Talking to other people with vitiligo will also help, making one aware that he or she is not alone.

Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in the human skin. The human skin contains special skin cells (melanocytes) that produce the pigment melanin which colors the skin.

In Vitiligo, the special skin cells (melanocytes) as well as the tissues (mucous membranes) that line the inside of the mouth, nose, genital and rectal areas, and the retina of the eyes are destroyed. As a result, white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. The hair may also turn white that grows in areas affected by vitiligo.

What causes vitiligo?

There are several theories regarding the cause of vitiligo but the actual cause is not fully known. According to one theory, people with vitiligo develop antibodies that, turn upon them and destroy their own melanocytes instead of protecting them. There is another theory according to which the melanocytes somehow attack and destroy themselves. Finally, some people with vitiligo have reported that a single event such as severe sunburn or an episode of emotional distress is the main cause of this order. Scientifically, events of this nature have not been accepted as the main cause of vitiligo. These are merely coincidences.

Who is affected by vitiligo?

The number of people affected by vitiligo disorder ranges from 40-50 million. It forms about 1 to 2% of people in the world. 2 to 5 million people have the disorder in the United States alone.

Vitiligo affects all races and both sexes equally and ninety-five percent of its victims are below the age of 40.

What is the association of vitiligo with autoimmune disease?

In Autoimmune diseases, a person’s immune system reacts against the body’s own organs or tissues. Vitiligo is found to be more common in people with certain autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases that are associated with vitiligo include: hyperthyroidism (over activity of the thyroid gland), adrenocortical insufficiency (the adrenal gland does not produce enough of the hormone corticosteroid), alopecia areata (patches of baldness), and pernicious anemia (a low level of red blood cells caused by the failure of the body to absorb vitamin B12).

Is vitiligo inherited?

Vitiligo may be hereditary in some cases. Children of vitiligo affected parents are more likely to develop vitiligo disorder. However, most children will not get vitiligo even if a parent has it. Also most people with vitiligo do not have a family history of the disorder.

Large number of inherited disorders are associated with vitiligo. They include: albinism of the ocular type, autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome, congenital deafness with vitiligo and achalasia, dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria, ermine phenotype, familial histiocyctic reticulosis, kabuki syndrome, and the syndrome of spastic paraparesis, vitiligo, premature graying and characteristic facies.

The abundance of genetic diseases associated with vitiligo clearly proves that there are a number of genes which normally govern the development and wellbeing of the melanocytes.

What are the symptoms of vitiligo?

White patches (depigmentation) on the skin are the foremost symbol of vitiligo. These patches are more common in sun-exposed areas, including the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Other common areas are the armpits and groin, and around the mouth, eyes, nostrils, navel, and genitals.

Vitiligo generally appears in one of three patterns: focal pattern, segmental pattern and generalized pattern. In focal pattern, the depigmentation is limited to one or only a few areas. In segmental pattern, depigmented patches are developed on only one side of the body. But in the generalized pattern, depigmentation occurs on different parts of the body.