Have you ever noticed that some people have white spots on their skin? Maybe you have also had one or two small spots like this and can't figure out what they are. Although many people call this "scab", medically we call this condition Vitiligo. Some people are scared when they see this, and others are ashamed that they will be ostracized by society. But is Vitiligo really something to be afraid of? Let's talk about everything very simply today.
Simply put, what is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a skin condition in which the pigment that gives color to our skin is lost. This results in patches that are either lighter than your skin tone or completely white. Our skin, hair, and eyes are colored by a pigment called melanin . This melanin is produced by special cells called melanocytes . In vitiligo, for some reason, our body's own immune system destroys these melanocyte cells. To be precise, it attacks its own cells. When these cells are destroyed, melanin is not produced in the relevant areas, so the skin loses color and white patches appear.
If this spot appears on your body where you have hair, the hair in that area may also turn white.
Who is more likely to develop this condition?
Vitiligo is a condition that does not discriminate based on race or gender. It can affect anyone at any age. However, it is more common in people with darker skin tones . It usually first appears before the age of 30.
People with certain autoimmune conditions are at a slightly higher risk of developing vitiligo. Some of these conditions include:
- Thyroid disease
- Addison's disease
- Diabetes (Type 1 Diabetes)
- Lupus
- Psoriasis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Certain anemia conditions
The most important thing is that Vitiligo is not a contagious disease . You will never catch this disease from touching someone, eating with them, or living with them.
What are the main types of vitiligo?
Vitiligo can be divided into several main types based on how it spreads. Your doctor will tell you exactly which type you have.
| Vitiligo type | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Generalized Vitiligo | This is the most common type. The spots appear symmetrically on both sides of the body, in different parts. |
| Segmental Vitiligo | This is when spots appear on only one side of the body, or are limited to one area (e.g., an arm, a leg, one side of the face). |
| Mucosal Vitiligo | In this type, spots form on mucous membranes, such as inside the mouth, on the lips, inside the nose, and in the genital area. |
| Focal Vitiligo | This is a bit rare. One or a few spots appear in the same small area and don't spread for a year or two. |
| Universal Vitiligo | This is also very rare. More than 80% of the body loses skin color. |
What causes vitiligo?
There is no single specific cause of Vitiligo, but there are several factors that are believed to play a major role:
- An autoimmune condition: As we discussed earlier, the main cause is thought to be the body's immune system mistakenly destroying its own melanocyte cells.
- Genetic changes: If someone in the family has vitiligo, there is a chance that others will also develop it. This means that there may be a genetic predisposition to it. However, just because someone in the family has it does not mean that everyone will develop it.
- Severe mental or physical stress: Severe mental stress, physical trauma such as an accident, can be a cause of the onset or worsening of vitiligo in some people.
- Environmental triggers: Things like excessive sunburn and exposure to certain chemicals can aggravate this condition in some people.
Are there any complications that can occur due to vitiligo?
Vitiligo is not a physically painful or dangerous disease, but it can cause several other problems:
1. Skin sensitivity to sunlight: Since there is no pigment, areas with white spots can sunburn very quickly when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, sun protection is essential.
2. Changes in the eyes: Some people may notice some changes in the color of the retina and iris of the eye. However, vision is rarely affected.
3. Psychological impact: This is the biggest challenge that comes with Vitiligo. Some people may feel embarrassed, sad, anxious, or depressed due to the change in their appearance. This can make them reluctant to face society and socialize with people.
If you are experiencing this type of mental distress, don't keep it to yourself. Talk to someone you trust, or your doctor, about it. It is important to seek help from a mental health counselor if necessary.
How does a doctor diagnose Vitiligo?
Usually, an experienced doctor can tell if you have Vitiligo just by examining your skin. Sometimes, a special device called a Wood's lamp, which emits ultraviolet (UV) light, is used to confirm the diagnosis. When exposed to the light of this lamp, the Vitiligo spots will glow brightly.
In addition, the doctor will ask you about things like whether anyone in your family has this condition and whether they have other diseases.
What are the treatments for Vitiligo?
The first thing to remember is that Vitiligo is not a disease that requires treatment. Because it does not harm the body, whether or not to treat it depends entirely on your wishes and your mental well-being.
If you decide to seek treatment, there are a variety of options. These treatments have two main goals:
1. Repigmentation
2. Depigmentation - This is done for people who have a very large area of their body that has turned white.
Here are some of the main treatment methods:
- Types of medications:
- Corticosteroid creams: These can help control the spread of spots and help the color return. But they should be used exactly as directed by a doctor.
- Calcineurin inhibitors: These are also types of creams that help restore color.
- Janus kinase inhibitors (ruxolitinib): This is also a new medication approved to restore skin color.
- Light therapy (Light therapy / Phototherapy):
- This involves exposing the skin to a specific type of ultraviolet (UVB) light in a controlled manner using a machine. This is a treatment that needs to be done over weeks or months.
- There is another light therapy method called PUVA .
- Depigmentation therapy:
- If Vitiligo has spread to a large area of the body, the remaining dark spots can be bleached to make the entire body a uniform color. This can be done using medications such as monobenzone .
- Surgery:
- Skin grafts: Healthy skin is taken from the body and transplanted to the area where Vitiligo is present.
- Blister grafting: A healthy skin blister is created, the skin on top of it is taken and attached to the area with vitiligo.
Not all of these treatments are suitable for everyone. You should discuss your condition with your doctor and decide which treatment is best for you.
Are there ways to temporarily hide vitiligo spots?
Yes. If you are uncomfortable with the appearance of these spots, whether during or without treatment, there are ways to temporarily hide them.
- Use a good sunscreen: It is essential to use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. It prevents white spots from burning. It also reduces the chance of healthy skin getting tanned in the sun, reducing the difference in color between spots and healthy skin.
- Camouflage makeup: There are types of makeup that match your skin tone and are specifically designed for these conditions. These can be used to effectively cover up blemishes.
- Micropigmentation: This is similar to getting a tattoo. A pigment that matches the skin color is permanently inserted into the skin.
Take-Home Message
- Vitiligo is not a contagious disease. It is not transmitted from one person to another in any way.
- This is not a condition that causes physical harm or pain to the body. The main impact is on appearance and mental health.
- Since skin with vitiligo spots is very sensitive to sunlight, be sure to use SPF 30+ sunscreen daily.
- Whether or not to seek treatment is a personal decision. If you are uncomfortable about it, talk to a doctor and learn about different treatment options.
- If you are feeling stressed about your appearance, don't be afraid to talk about it. Seeking mental health counseling can be very helpful.
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