vitiligo1

Vitiligo is a condition in which pigment cells are destroyed, resulting in irregularly shaped white patches on the skin.
Any part of the body may be affected. Common sites are exposed areas (face, neck, eyes, nostrils, nipples, navel, genitalia), body folds (armpits, groins), sites of injury (cuts, scrapes, burns), and around pigmented moles, hair (early graying of hair on scalp and body).

Vitiligo affects atleast 1% of the population, and occurs in all races. In half of sufferers, pigment loss begins before the age of 20. In one fifth, other family members also have vitiligo.
Even though most people with vitiligo are in good general health, they face a greater risk having other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease, and pernicious anaemia.
Melanin is the pigment that determines the coulour of skin, hair, and eyes. It is produced in cells called melanocytes. If melanocytes cannot form melanin or if their number decreases, skin colour will become progressively lighter. Other causes of white skin include severe trauma, burns, and deep skin infections.

The cuase of vitiligo is not known. It sometimes follows physical injury such as sunburn, or emotional stress. There are three theories on the cause of vitilgo:
   * The pigment cells are injured by abnormally functioning nerve cells
   * There may be an autoimmune reaction against the pigment cells (the body may destroy its own tissues, which it perceives as foreign)
   *   Autotoxic theory- the pigment cells are self destructive

The severity of vitiligo differs with each individual. Light skinned people usually notice the pigment loss during the summer as the contrast between the affected skin and suntanned skin becomes more distinct. People with dark skin may observe the onset of vitiligo anytime. In a sevcere case pigment may be lost from the entire body. The eyes do not change colour. There is no way to predict how much pigment an individual will lose.
Vitiligo frequently begins with a rapid loss of pigment which may be followed by a lengthly period when the skin colour does not change. Later, the pigment loss may begin again. The loss od colour may continue until, for unkown reasons, the process stops. Cycles of pigment loss followed by periods of stability may continue indefinately.

PROTECTION AGAINST SUN EXPOSURE: The white skin needs sun protection because it can only burn, it cannot tan. The normal skin also needs prtecting to prevent sunburn (which could cause spreading of vitiligo), and to reduce the contrast between the normal and white skin.
   * Wear protective clothing
   * Stay out of the sun at peak periods
   * Apply sunscreen (Sun Protector Factor 15+)