Vitiligo: Facts, Myths, Causes, Symptoms, Pictures, Treatment.
Beauty is all about being comfortable in your own skin. VITILIGO………………………. A THREAD of beautiful people and what you should know.
Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. The patches of skin affected become white and usually have sharp margins. The hair from the skin may also become white.
What triggers VITILIGO ?
Vitiligo is caused by the lack of a pigment called melanin in the skin. Melanin is produced by skin cells called melanocytes, and it gives your skin its colour. In this skin disorder, there are not enough working melanocytes to produce enough melanin in your skin.
Can VITILIGO go away?
There is no “cure” for vitiligo. Sometimes patches go away on their own. But when that doesn’t happen, doctors can prescribe treatments that might help even out skin tone. No treatment is 100% effective at making the spots disappear altogether.
Is VITILIGO a genetic disease?
Is vitiligo hereditary? Yes, it has a genetic basis, although less than half of those with vitiligo know of someone in their family who also has it. If you have this skin disorder, it does not necessarily follow that your children will develop it.
Does it appear suddenly?
Although it can start at any age, it often first appears between the ages of 20 and 30. The white patches may begin on your face above your eyes or on your neck, or armpits. They’re often symmetrical and can spread over your entire body.
Can VITILIGO be sexually transmitted? A myth
This is the common myth about this auto-immune skin disease. BUT It is not contagious and cannot spread from touching, saliva, inhalation, blood, sexual intercourse or sharing of personal items (drinking bottle, towels).
What happens if VITILIGO is left untreated?
Pigment may occasionally return, but usually the white patches continue to spread, and if left untreated, may involve extensive areas of the skin. It doesn’t itch or hurt, and most people with the condition are generally HEALTHY.
How do you stop VITILIGO from spreading? Treatment
Topical steroids come as a cream or ointment you apply to your skin. They can sometimes stop the spread of the white patches and may restore some of your original skin colour.
In mild cases, the patient can camouflage some of the white patches with colored, cosmetic creams and makeup. They should select tones that best match their skin features.
When the affected area is widespread, covering 50 percent of the body or more, depigmentation can be an option. This reduces the skin color in unaffected parts to match the whiter areas.
Depigmentation is achieved by applying strong topical lotions or ointments, such as monobenzone, mequinol, or hydroquinone.
Skin grafting by a plastic surgeon and tatooing are also treatment modalities but they have their drawbacks.
If you have this skin disoder, you are part of the 1% of the worlds population who are effected by this auto-immune disease. You are unique and you are special in your own skin. Stop and fight back any form of discrimination♥
