World Vitiligo Day

What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo (vi-ill-EYE-go) is when white patches of skin comes on different part of body .It comes due to the cells that make pigment in the skin are destroyed.These cells are called melanocytes. Vitiligo can also effect the mucous membranes (such as the tissue inside the mouth and nose)and the eye.. Vitiligo may also run in families.Children whose parents have the disorder are more likely to develop Vitiligo. However most children will not get vitiligo even if a parent has it. Vitiligo sometimes”runs families”,Suggesting a genetic basis. However in these families the inheritance appears to be multi factorial involving the interaction between the multiple genes and unidentified environment factors or triggers.

Causes of Vitiligo
These diseases happen when their immune system mistakenly attacks some part of their own body. In vitiligo the immune system may destroy the melanocytes in the skin. Vitiligo is a relatively common pigmentation disorder in which the skin’s pigment- making cells are lost or destroyed.
The skin doesn’t have it’s characteristic color because it has lost its melanin.for some reason,the pigment-forming cells know as melanocytes have been destroyed.

Symptom of Vitiligo
White patches on the skin is the main sign of Vitiligo. These patches are more common in area where the skin is exposed to the sun.The patches may be on the hands,feet ,arms ,face lips armpit ,groin,eye,Nostrilla and lips,Navel, Genitals and rectal areas. People with Vitiligo often have hair that turns great early.Those with dark skin may notice a loss of color inside their mouths.

Diagnosis and treatment
Doctor can usually make a dignosis of Vitiligo by skin and physical check up.There is no known way to prevent or cure the condition.But you can improve the appearance of affected skin using UV light therapy or lighten the skin in unaffected areas,or a skin graft.
The doctor will use a family and medical history, physical check up and tests to diagnose vitiligo.
Test might include:
Taking a small sample
(Biopsy) of the affected skin to be checked.
Blood test
An eye test.

Vitiligo treatment
Medicines that put on the skin.

Medicines that you take by the mouth.
Removing the color from other areas so they match the. White patches.
Surgical treatment include.
Skin graft from a person’s own tissues. The doctor takes skin from one area of a patient’s body and attached it to another area.
Tattooing small areas of skin

Dr. Manjot Marwah
MD. Dermatologist
Jallandhar.