Vitiligo which is also known as leucoderma is a skin condition that leads to depigmentation of skin colour due to the deficiency of melanin. In most cases, it develops during early age. The condition will mostly show up before turning 40 years.
Signs and symptoms of vitiligo often include the appearances of blotches and white patches on the skin. But did you think these are the only vitiligo symptoms? If yes, then you are wrong! Though patches and blotches are the most common initial symptoms of vitiligo, there can be other signs as well that indicates the direction towards vitiligo.
The effect of Vitiligo is not restricted to skin alone. It can affect more places than your skin. In fact, these add up to a few early symptoms of Vitiligo, which most people ignore or just fail to notice. Vitiligo’s initial symptoms include;
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Premature greying or whitening of your hair, eyelashes, eyebrows and beard
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Whitening of the inside of your mouth or nose
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Lightening of the retina
This whitening effect is caused because of the destruction of melanocytes which produces melanin in your body. Melanin is the pigment that gives colour to your skin and hair. It is believed by many experts that the destruction of melanocytes happens because of autoimmunity. Autoimmunity happens when your immune system turns against your own tissues and starts destroying them.
Vitiligo symptoms often vary depending upon the type of vitiligo that you have. In non-segmental vitiligo, usually the symptoms appear symmetrically on both sides of the body. Segmental vitiligo leaves light patches on one segment of the body. People who have vitiligo might experience other autoimmune diseases like Thyroid as well.
People often tend to ignore such small signs and symptoms of Vitiligo. Do not ignore these symptoms. Once you observe any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult a doctor immediately and get it diagnosed.