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Vitiligo is defined in the medical dictionary as: leukodermia or a chronic skin condition that causes loss of pigment, resulting in irregular pale patches of the skin. It is a disorder in which, melanocytes in the skin are destroyed. In nonprofessional terms, the cells that make our pigments are killed. The common symptoms are white patches that appear on different parts of the body. Patches are also observed on the mucous membrane (tissues inside our nose and mouth) and the retina (inner layer of the eyeball). Another commonly observed of Vitiligo is that hair in the affected parts turns white.
The exact cause of vitiligo is very complex and perhaps not fully understood yet. Evidence based on large number of tests suggests it is caused by auto-immune, genetic and also environmental factors.
However, the cause of vitiligo is not known. Researchers have formulated several theories on this. The most widely accepted theory is that vitiligo is an auto-immune disease- a disorder in which our body’s immune system acts against the functioning of our organs or tissues. In such cases, our bodies produce certain proteins called cytokines that kill the pigment producing cells on our skin. Another theory states that vitiligo is caused by over-active thyroid. While some doctors believe in the theory that melanocytes destroy themselves. Researchers also believe that genes could play an important part in causing vitiligo. 30% of the people affected with vitiligo have a family member with that disease. Finally, doctors reported that on certain patients a single event such as emotional distress or even sunburns have triggered formation of white patches or made it worse in cases where it already existed.
There is absolutely no predicting of this skin disorder. In some cases, the white patches do not spread while in some the spreading is rapid. In certain specimens, vitiligo spreads to different parts if the body while in others the patches concentrate over a certain region. For some people vitiligo spreads, over the years, while for some the patches grow rapidly in a short span.
Vitiligo is harmless. Non-contagious and non- infectious. It is a superficial skin disorder. It is classified more as a cosmetic problem as it can be emotionally and psychologically distressing.
There is no proper cure for vitiligo, only treatment for improving the appearance.
There are many theories guessing the cause of vitiligo however there is no scientific proof regarding any of these theories. Extensive research is being conducted in this field.
Hopefully soon, we will have a proper cause and a cure for vitiligo.
