Vitiligo is a condition in which areas of skin lose their normal pigment and
so become white. It is common, and affects about 1% of the world’s
population.
Vitiligo is a skin condition whose exact cause is unknown. In vitiligo, patches of skin lose their pigmentation when the pigment producing cells, the 'melanocytes' are attacked and destroyed. It may affect the skin, mucous membranes, eyes, inner ear or hairs leaving white patches. The usual type of vitiligo is called 'Vitiligo Vulgaris' (means: common vitiligo). Variant types include linear, segmental, trichrome and inflammatory vitiligo.
It is believed that vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder (autoimmune means the body's own immune system turns on itself). Certain white blood cells direct the destruction of melanocytes. People with vitiligo are also somewhat more prone to other autoimmune diseases, such as alopecia areata, autoimmune thyroid disorders, Addison's disease, pernicious anemia, and diabetes mellitus.
Causes of Vitiligo
Melanin is the pigment that gives the skin its characteristic color. Vitiligo is caused by a loss of pigment in the skin, due to destruction of pigment-forming cells known as melanocytes. The exact cause of the destruction of these cells is not known. One possible explanation might be that the body's immune system destroys the cells, as in other autoimmune conditions. Although vitiligo affects all races equally, it is more noticeable in dark-skinned people.
Learn more :The Best Vitiligo Hospital in China
Vitiligo is a skin condition whose exact cause is unknown. In vitiligo, patches of skin lose their pigmentation when the pigment producing cells, the 'melanocytes' are attacked and destroyed. It may affect the skin, mucous membranes, eyes, inner ear or hairs leaving white patches. The usual type of vitiligo is called 'Vitiligo Vulgaris' (means: common vitiligo). Variant types include linear, segmental, trichrome and inflammatory vitiligo.
It is believed that vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder (autoimmune means the body's own immune system turns on itself). Certain white blood cells direct the destruction of melanocytes. People with vitiligo are also somewhat more prone to other autoimmune diseases, such as alopecia areata, autoimmune thyroid disorders, Addison's disease, pernicious anemia, and diabetes mellitus.
Causes of Vitiligo
Melanin is the pigment that gives the skin its characteristic color. Vitiligo is caused by a loss of pigment in the skin, due to destruction of pigment-forming cells known as melanocytes. The exact cause of the destruction of these cells is not known. One possible explanation might be that the body's immune system destroys the cells, as in other autoimmune conditions. Although vitiligo affects all races equally, it is more noticeable in dark-skinned people.
Learn more :The Best Vitiligo Hospital in China
