What is Vitiligo? Different types of Vitiligo and symptoms?

People are afflicted by several types of Vitiligo. Homeo doctors in Hyderabad can treat such conditions well. It is good to approach them for detailed consultations.

Normally, the color of hair and skin is rather determined by melanin. Vitiligo does occur when the cells that do produce melanin die or even stop functioning. Vitiligo does affect people of all sorts of skin types, but it can be more noticeable in people with darker skin. The condition is not life-threatening or perhaps contagious.

Vitiligo does cause one’s skin to lose color or pigmentation. Smooth white or light areas are of course referred to as macules or patches that tend to appear on one’s skin. It generally starts on the hands, forearms, feet, and then also on the face. Treatment is not required, but it can be availed if the person does not like the changes to the skin tone.

What is vitiligo?

Vitiligo (pronounced “vit-il-EYE-go”) is considered to be a skin condition that leads to the skin losing its color or pigment. This does cause one’s skin to appear lighter than one’s natural skin tone or turn white. Areas of one’s skin that lose their pigment are referred to as macules and if larger known as patches. If having Vitiligo on a part of one’s body that has hair, one’s hair may turn white or silver.

The condition occurs when the body’s immune system does destroy melanocytes. Melanocytes happen to be skin cells that produce melanin, the chemical that provides skin its color, or pigmentation.

Who does Vitiligo affect?

Vitiligo affects all races as well as sexes equally. It is more in focus on people with darker skin tones. Although Vitiligo can develop at any age, macules or patches tend to appear before age 30.

A person might be at a higher risk of developing Vitiligo if a person has certain autoimmune conditions such as:

• Addison’s disease.
• Anemia.
• Lupus.
• Diabetes (Type 1).
• Psoriasis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Thyroid disease.

How does vitiligo start and progress?

Vitiligo starts with a few small white macules or patches and can gradually spread over the body. Vitiligo typically begins on the hands, forearms, feet as well as face, but can develop on any part of one’s body, including the mucous membranes (the moist lining of one’s mouth, nose, genital as well as rectal areas), the eyes and inner ears.

Types of Vitiligo:

• Generalized: This happens to be the most common type of Vitiligo that does cause macules to appear in various places on one’s body.
• Segmental: This type does affect a particular side of the body or an area, such as the hands or face.
• Mucosal: Mucosal Vitiligo does affect the mucous membranes of one’s mouth or even genitals.
• Focal: Focal vitiligo is considered to be a rare type where the macules do develop in a small area and do not spread in a certain pattern within one to two years.
• Trichome: This type does lead to a bullseye with a white or colorless center, then an area of lighter pigmentation, and an area of one’s natural skin tone.
• Universal: This rare type of Vitiligo leads to 80% of the skin not having pigment.

SYMPTOMS:

• Patches of the skin or mucous membranes that tend to lose color. These can rather appear white or lighter than one’s natural skin tone.
• Patches of hair on one’s body turn silver, gray or white.

Symptoms can of course be mild and only affect a small area of one’s body or severe and also affect a large area of one’s skin. Few people having Vitiligo experience itchy skin before de-pigmentation starts.

Causes:

• An autoimmune condition
• Environmental triggers
• Genetic changes

Is Vitiligo painful?

No, Vitiligo is not painful.

Does Vitiligo cause complications?

Although Vitiligo is a cosmetic condition, it may cause:

• Sensitive skin
• Eye abnormalities
• Predisposition to autoimmune conditions
• Emotional challenges

Conclusion

Homeo doctors in Hyderabad can treat well.