Health
| TZPSS science |
| Topics Front Page |
Knowledge has power.
| ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2007 |
| Vitiligo |
Vitiligo (vit-ill-EYE-go) is a disorder in which white patches of
skin appear on different parts of the body. This happens
because the cells that make pigment (color) in the skin are
destroyed. These cells are called melanocytes
(ma-LAN-o-sites). Vitiligo can also affect the mucous
membranes (such as the tissue inside the mouth and nose)
and the eye.
What Causes Vitiligo?
The cause is not known. Vitiligo may be an autoimmune
disease. These diseases happen when your immune system
mistakenly attacks some part of your own body. In vitiligo, the
immune system may destroy the melanocytes in the skin. It is
also possible that one or more genes may make a person more
likely to get the disorder.
Some researchers think that the melanocytes destroy
themselves. Others think that a single event such as sunburn
or emotional distress can cause vitiligo. But these events have
not been proven to cause vitiligo.
Who Is Affected by Vitiligo?
In the United States, 2 to 5 million people have the disorder.
Most people with vitiligo develop it before their 40th birthday.
The disorder affects all races and both sexes equally.
People with certain autoimmune diseases (such as thyroid
disease) are more likely to get vitiligo than people who don't
have any autoimmune diseases. Scientists do not know why
vitiligo is connected with these diseases. However, most people
with vitiligo have no other autoimmune disease.
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.
What Are the Symptoms of Vitiligo?
White patches on the skin are the main sign of vitiligo. These
patches are more common in areas where the skin is exposed
to the sun. The patches may be on the hands, feet, arms, face,
and lips. Other common areas for white patches are:
The armpits and groin (where the leg meets the body)
Around the mouth
Eyes
Nostrils
Navel
Genitals.
People with vitiligo often have hair that turns gray early. Those
with dark skin may notice a loss of color inside their mouths.
Will the White Patches Spread?
There is no way to tell if vitiligo will spread. For some people,
the white patches do not spread. But often the white patches
will spread to other areas of the body. For some people, vitiligo
spreads slowly, over many years. For other people, spreading
occurs quickly. Some people have reported more white patches
after physical or emotional stress.
How Is Vitiligo Diagnosed?
The doctor will use a family and medical history, physical exam,
and tests to diagnose vitiligo. Tests might include:
Taking a small sample (biopsy) of the affected skin to be
examined, Blood tests, An eye exam.
How Is Vitiligo Treated?
Treatment may help make the skin look better. The choice of
treatment depends on:
The number of white patche
How widespread the patches are
The treatment the person prefers to use.
Some treatments are not right for everyone. Many treatments
can have unwanted side effects. Treatments can take a long
time, and sometimes they don't work.
Current treatment options for vitiligo include medical, surgical,
and other treatments. Most treatments are aimed at restoring
color to the white patches of skin.
Medical treatments include:
Medicines (such as steroid creams) that you put on the skin
Medicines that you take by mouth
A treatment that uses medicine plus ultraviolet A (UVA) light
(PUVA)
Removing the color from other areas so they match the white
patches.
Surgical treatments include:
Skin grafts from a person's own tissues. The doctor takes skin
from one area of a patient's body and attaches it to another
area. This is sometimes used for people with small patches of
vitiligo.
Tattooing small areas of skin.
Other treatments include:
Sunscreens
Cosmetics, such as makeup or dye, to cover the white patches
Counseling and support.
Some people with vitiligo have found that cosmetics that cover
the white patches improve their appearance and help them feel
better about themselves. A person may need to try several
brands of concealing cosmetics before finding the product that
works best.
Content Source NIAMS NIH GOV 2006
skin appear on different parts of the body. This happens
because the cells that make pigment (color) in the skin are
destroyed. These cells are called melanocytes
(ma-LAN-o-sites). Vitiligo can also affect the mucous
membranes (such as the tissue inside the mouth and nose)
and the eye.
What Causes Vitiligo?
The cause is not known. Vitiligo may be an autoimmune
disease. These diseases happen when your immune system
mistakenly attacks some part of your own body. In vitiligo, the
immune system may destroy the melanocytes in the skin. It is
also possible that one or more genes may make a person more
likely to get the disorder.
Some researchers think that the melanocytes destroy
themselves. Others think that a single event such as sunburn
or emotional distress can cause vitiligo. But these events have
not been proven to cause vitiligo.
Who Is Affected by Vitiligo?
In the United States, 2 to 5 million people have the disorder.
Most people with vitiligo develop it before their 40th birthday.
The disorder affects all races and both sexes equally.
People with certain autoimmune diseases (such as thyroid
disease) are more likely to get vitiligo than people who don't
have any autoimmune diseases. Scientists do not know why
vitiligo is connected with these diseases. However, most people
with vitiligo have no other autoimmune disease.
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.
What Are the Symptoms of Vitiligo?
White patches on the skin are the main sign of vitiligo. These
patches are more common in areas where the skin is exposed
to the sun. The patches may be on the hands, feet, arms, face,
and lips. Other common areas for white patches are:
The armpits and groin (where the leg meets the body)
Around the mouth
Eyes
Nostrils
Navel
Genitals.
People with vitiligo often have hair that turns gray early. Those
with dark skin may notice a loss of color inside their mouths.
Will the White Patches Spread?
There is no way to tell if vitiligo will spread. For some people,
the white patches do not spread. But often the white patches
will spread to other areas of the body. For some people, vitiligo
spreads slowly, over many years. For other people, spreading
occurs quickly. Some people have reported more white patches
after physical or emotional stress.
How Is Vitiligo Diagnosed?
The doctor will use a family and medical history, physical exam,
and tests to diagnose vitiligo. Tests might include:
Taking a small sample (biopsy) of the affected skin to be
examined, Blood tests, An eye exam.
How Is Vitiligo Treated?
Treatment may help make the skin look better. The choice of
treatment depends on:
The number of white patche
How widespread the patches are
The treatment the person prefers to use.
Some treatments are not right for everyone. Many treatments
can have unwanted side effects. Treatments can take a long
time, and sometimes they don't work.
Current treatment options for vitiligo include medical, surgical,
and other treatments. Most treatments are aimed at restoring
color to the white patches of skin.
Medical treatments include:
Medicines (such as steroid creams) that you put on the skin
Medicines that you take by mouth
A treatment that uses medicine plus ultraviolet A (UVA) light
(PUVA)
Removing the color from other areas so they match the white
patches.
Surgical treatments include:
Skin grafts from a person's own tissues. The doctor takes skin
from one area of a patient's body and attaches it to another
area. This is sometimes used for people with small patches of
vitiligo.
Tattooing small areas of skin.
Other treatments include:
Sunscreens
Cosmetics, such as makeup or dye, to cover the white patches
Counseling and support.
Some people with vitiligo have found that cosmetics that cover
the white patches improve their appearance and help them feel
better about themselves. A person may need to try several
brands of concealing cosmetics before finding the product that
works best.
Content Source NIAMS NIH GOV 2006
| MEDICAL NOTES |
DISEASES AND
CONDITIONS
Acidosis
Acne
Age. macular degn
Alzheimer's disease
Autoimmune
Hepatitis
Barrett's Esophagus
Cancer
Constipation
Colon Polyps
Crohns Disease
Diabetes
Erectile Dysfunction
Fecal Incontinence
Gallstones
Gastritis
Gastroenteritis
Gastroesophageal
Reflux (GERD)
Growth Hormone
Def.
Heartburn
Hemochromatosis
Hemorrhoids
Hypertension
Inflam. Bowel Dis.
Kidney Stone
Liver Cirrhosis
Migraines
Multiple Sclerosis
Obesity
Osteorithritis
Osteoporosis
Pancreatitis
Parkinson's Disease
Psoriasis
Stroke
Ulcerative Colitis
Vitiligo
CONDITIONS
Acidosis
Acne
Age. macular degn
Alzheimer's disease
Autoimmune
Hepatitis
Barrett's Esophagus
Cancer
Constipation
Colon Polyps
Crohns Disease
Diabetes
Erectile Dysfunction
Fecal Incontinence
Gallstones
Gastritis
Gastroenteritis
Gastroesophageal
Reflux (GERD)
Growth Hormone
Def.
Heartburn
Hemochromatosis
Hemorrhoids
Hypertension
Inflam. Bowel Dis.
Kidney Stone
Liver Cirrhosis
Migraines
Multiple Sclerosis
Obesity
Osteorithritis
Osteoporosis
Pancreatitis
Parkinson's Disease
Psoriasis
Stroke
Ulcerative Colitis
Vitiligo