10 Frequently asked questions about Vitiligo

There are many repeatedly asked questions about Vitiligo, its causes, treatment methods and so on. This blog incorporates answers to some of those many questions.

1. What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a skin disorder, where skin loses its colour pigment called melanin. Deconstruction of Melanin or loss of the pigment results in Vitiligo. Vitiligo affected areas of the skin will have white patches on it.

2. Who is likely to get it?

Almost 2% of the population and an estimated 2 to 5 million Americans have the condition. In most cases, it develops during early age. The condition will mostly show up before turning 40 years.

3. What causes Vitiligo?

The identified cause of Vitiligo is autoimmunity. Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder in which the body fights off healthy cells in the body instead of infections causing cells. Melanocytes are the healthy cells that control colouring of skin and hair; but as autoimmunity fights it off, it causes depigmentation of skin.

4. How serious is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is definitely not a serious condition. In fact, it is one of the most benign conditions that our body can have.

5. What are symptoms of Vitiligo?

People with Vitiligo usually first notice white patches on their skin. These patches are common in the sun-exposed areas, including the hands, feet, arms, face and lips. Other common areas for white patches to appear are the armpits, areas around the eyes, nostril, navel and genitals. In addition to the patches, people with Vitiligo may experience premature greying of the scalp hair, eyelashes, eyebrows and beard.

6. Are there things that a person with Vitiligo should avoid?

Yes, there are some things which should be avoided by a person who has Vitiligo. Certain things should be avoided because if you continue doing those, the effect of Vitiligo will worsen. The common things to be avoided are;

• Swimming in pools with chlorine water

• Exposure to sun without the application of sunscreen

7. Is Vitiligo contagious?

Vitiligo isn’t contagious. It doesn’t spread like the flu or common cold, as it is not spread by germs, bacteria or virus. Hence touching discoloured skin does not spread it from one person to another.

8. Do Vitiligo patches spread over time?

For many people, the white patches spread and get larger over time. However, the way it spread is different among different people.

9. Is sun exposure harmful on Vitiligo spots?

Exposure of vitiligo spots to the rising sun and the setting sun is useful to vitiligo patches. The gentle sunlight aids in natural re-pigmentation.

Due to lack of melanin, the patches of vitiligo on skin have no natural protection against the sun rays. Therefore, the most important reason for protecting your skin is to prevent sunburn. Exposure to the harsh sunlight should be avoided, and if the person experiences sunburn or discomfort, it is advised to use sun block creams, or a cap, or full clothes, or an umbrella.

10. Can Vitiligo be treated?

There is no permanent cure to Vitiligo, but there are treatments which can reduce existing blotches and patches. At present, the types of treatment include:

• Creams and ointment

• Medications that affect the immune system

• Light therapies

• Depigmentation (lightening the unaffected skin to blend with widespread whitened patches)

• Skin or blister grafting (transplanting colour from healthy areas of skin onto vitiligo-affected areas)

• Tattooing procedures