Understanding Vitiligo
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Our skin makes its coloring from pigments. They are colored pigments. People with dark skin have more of these pigments and those with lighter skin have less of them. This pigment is known as melanin.
The main function of melanin is to guard the body from sun rays. That is why, we get tanned when we expose ourselves to sun. Tanning means more production of melanin. Cells known as melanocytes in the skin produce melanin.
If for any reason, the skin begins losing melanin from a patch on the body, light skin develops on that place. This is called disease of vitiligo. There is no specific cause known for vitiligo except for the thought that the body destroys the melanin itself. That is why this is called an autoimmune disease (a disease where the body attacks itself).
Vitiligo can develop on the whole body, or it can stop after creating few patches. Anybody can get it on any part of the body. There is no perfect cure for it. There is no prevention for vitiligo. Vitiligo also exposes skin to sun rays and that is dangerous. Let us find out more about it.
Vitiligo can develop on any part of the body, at any age and in anyone. Though it is believed that exposed parts of body have higher chances of developing Vitiligo, it can appear anywhere. Color of skin does not affect the probability of getting vitiligo. Similarly, it can strike both the sexes and at any age and vitiligo treatment for everyone is very similar.
It is estimated that in about one-fifth of the cases, other family members may also have vitiligo. As vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder, its patients are monitored for other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disorders, alopecia aerta, etc. You should talk to your doctor about this in detail.
Vitiligo begins with a small area of lighter color, which slowly turns to a white patch. Many patches can also develop at the same time. After some time, the discoloration may stop and then restart after some time. Some people may lose all the skin pigment. The hair also loses color at the site of vitiligo.
The cause of vitiligo is not known and so it is difficult to provide a definitive vitiligo cure, but it is thought that either the body destroys the melanin or it destroys itself. But the result is loss of pigment that protects body against sun damage.
I hope this helps you better understand the causes and effects of vitiligo. You shoul seek medical advice should begin to experience this mysterious disorder.
DISCLAIMER: I do hope this helps, but please note that I am not a medical professional so you should consult with your physician before taking any medical suggestions from the Internet.
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