What is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a disease that causes discoloration in skin. We can see through patches of skin to go white, and usually get bigger over time. Vitiligo is not exclusive to certain body parts, it can affect any part of the body. Most commonly vitiligo affects the skin around the eyes, mouth, elbows, wrists, hands and ankles. All the color from our hair, skin, and eye come from a pigment called melanin. People who have a darker skin tone have more melatonin compared to people who are fairer. This condition is not dangerous or contagious, however it can cause low self esteem and confidence.
Vitiligo happens when the melanocytes are attacked and destroyed by the body’s immune system. Melanocytes, which are the skin’s pigment-making cells, are located in the epidermis. This is the outermost layer of the skin. When these pigment- making cells are destroyed people begin to develop white splotches.
Causes of Vitiligo
While vitiligo can run in a family, it doesn't necessarily guarantee it. A number of genes are at play, and vitiligo develops when change occurs in the genes with the right combinations. Also Inheriting certain genes may increase the risk of something triggering (causing it to happen) vitiligo.
Known vitiligo triggers include:
A severe sunburn
Injured skin (cut, scrape, burn)
Getting a strong chemical like phenol on your skin
How is vitiligo diagnosed?
A patient makes an appointment with a dermatologist (skin doctor) or primary care doctor who will analyze medical history and conduct a visual examination of the skin. They sometimes also do a skin biopsy to make a diagnosis of vitiligo.
How can vitiligo be treated?
Vitiligo does not cause harm to the body, however there are treatments with varying effectiveness designed to restore the color of skin to affected areas dermatologists look at.
Light treatment: Often referred to as phototherapy, exposes the colorless sections of skin to specific light wavelengths, typically narrow band ultraviolet B, helping restoration of skin pigmentation. It may be necessary to repeat this treatment twice or thrice a week for up to a year before notable, although partial, repigmentation occurs.
Topical treatment: Both topical steroidal treatments and topical calcineurin inhibitors have proven effective in revitalizing pigmentation in smaller skin areas impacted by vitiligo. However, the use of topical steroids carries the risk of sagging, thinning or developing stretch marks on the skin due to prolonged use. Lately, dermatologists have started to use a topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor to counteract the underlying inflammation and aid with pigmentation restoration.
Bleaching treatments: When treatment to achieve repigmentation is unsuccessful, sometimes patients with vitiligo decide to remove or depigment existing skin pigment so that their white patches blend together and are less noticeable. The only FDA-approved therapy for the treatment of vitiligo is a depigmenting agent called monobenzone.
Again, success is variable with all of these treatments. Usually, many months of treatment are required before doctors begin to understand what kind of result is going to be achieved. And, even when good results are seen, continued treatment may be necessary in order to prevent disease relapse.
Mental Health With Vitiligo
Despite Vitiligo depression, anxiety and low self -esteem is common with people with vitiligo. It is important to reduce stigma to clear up harmful misconceptions of people with vitiligo.
Anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem are common among people living with vitiligo. Reducing stigma can help clear up harmful misconceptions and improve mental well-being. According to Healthline A 2021 study found that 76% of the participants with vitiligo experienced moderate to severe stress. Additionally, 78% of the participants reported moderate to severe anxiety, and 80% experienced moderate to severe depression.
Common misconceptions that can lead to stigma include that vitiligo is:
contagious
incurable
due to a lack of maintaining a hygiene routine
a sign of leprosy
related to a nutrient-deficient diet
Sources
https://www.healthline.com/health/facing-the-stigma-of-vitiligo#:~:text=Anxiety%2C%20depression%2C%20and%20low%20self,and%20improve%20mental%20well%2Dbeing. Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board