Top Vitiligo signs and symptoms
Vitiligo is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the sufferer experiences patches of discolored skin. As time advances, the spots grow bigger in several cases. Though most people believe that it only affects those parts of the body that are exposed to the sun, it can affect any part in reality. It includes the mouth and hair. Though Vitiligo is not contagious or life-threatening, people often experience low self-confidence. Continue reading ahead to learn more about the top vitiligo signs and symptoms.
- Loss of skin color in patches- The most direct and essential symptom to identify Vitiligo is loss of skin color in spots on the hands, face, areas of body openings, and genitals.
- Premature greying- Premature greying or whitening of hair on your scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard may be indications of Vitiligo. Later in this blog, you can understand the different types of Vitiligo that affect your body.
- Affected nose and mouth- Though this may be tricky to understand, you must first note that the body is made up of many tissues. So, Vitiligo leads to loss of color in the mouth and nose lining tissues.
When do you need to visit a doctor for Vitiligo?
Knowing the signs and symptoms of Vitiligo is not enough because sometimes, the skin may lose color due to a lack of vitamins or other problems. So, the next big question arises that when should you visit a doctor?
You must head to a doctor as soon as you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above. However, you must not panic or start taking any medications without a professional prescription. Presently, there is no cure for Vitiligo, so you must not trust sources that promise recovery. However, professionally prescribed medicines can help you slow down the discoloring process or recover to a certain extent.
Does Vitiligo have a direct relation with ethnicity?
No, Vitiligo does not have any relation to your ethnicity or race. Thus, it is not necessary that if someone in the family earlier had Vitiligo, then you will necessarily be born with it. Though Vitiligo may affect anyone, it shows more dark skin because of the difference in color. Heredity factors may trigger the autoimmune disorder, but other events such as stress, sunburn, skin trauma, or exposure to chemicals may also cause Vitiligo.
Different types of Vitiligo can affect your skin
- Universal Vitiligo may affect all the skin surfaces and cause considerable discoloration.
- Generalized Vitiligo starts with one part of the body and may gradually spread to the other parts. This is the most usual type of Vitiligo.
- Segmental Vitiligo affects only one side of the body or one part of it. Though it sets in at an early age, the progress is likely to stop in a year or so.
- Localized or focal Vitiligo affects only one part of the body.
- Acrofacial Vitiligo affects the face and hands and around your body openings such as the eyes, nose, and ears.
These are the most common Vitiligo signs and symptoms. It is essential to protect yourself from the sun and always remember to apply sunscreen when you step out. Some other points to protect your skin include wearing full sleeve clothes and staying indoors if the weather outside is uncertain or too sunny. Several over the counter products can also help to cover the patches.