Vitiligo

This is a condition featured with the formation of pale and white coloured spots and deprives the affected region of melanin. Any part of the body can manifest with this condition. Exposure of body parts to the sunlight increases the likelihood to develop vitiligo. The hands, neck and the face are the areas frequently affected. Dark or tanned people are more at risk of developing this condition. The extent of development of these patches varies from person to person.

Both the sexes are equally at risk and in majority of the cases people are affected before they are 20.

Symptoms

The prominent symptom is presence of white spots that are flattened on the skin. Other than the patches, it doesn’t cause any other manifestation. The most frequently affected areas are the face, genitals and hands.

Symmetrical white patches may appear on the body and may be termed as bilateral, or generalised, vitiligo. These may appear on the dorsal aspect of hands, arms, around eyes, knees, elbows, and feet.

In some people it is also seen on the scalp. The hair that develops in these area may be greyish or white in colour. A person with this condition may even develop photosensitivity i.e., he may have rashes on the areas exposed to the sun. At times this condition may be featured with patches developing on only one side of the body. This condition may be termed as unilateral, localised, or segmental, vitiligo. Unilateral type is rarely seen. Very rarely the whole body gets affected and this condition is termed as universal, or complete, vitiligo.

Causes

Normally, a pigment named melanin is responsible for a person’s colour. Once affected with vitiligo, the cells at the particular site fail to produce enough melanin and hence the white patches appear. This condition does not involve any infectious process.

Autoimmune conditions

Though the mechanism is not clear, vitiligo is thought to be a result of the faulty immune response. The immune system produces special antibodies which instead of fighting the foreign microrganisms destroy their own cells. In this condition, antibodies which inhibit the action or production of melanin are produced by the immune system. Other conditions involving a defective immune system as in hyperthyroidism may also feature this condition.

Occupational vitiligo

Occupational, or contact, vitiligo occurs due to continued exposure of the body to certain chemicals in the work setting.

Other causes

Genetic predesposition with familial tendency is also thought to be a cause. Excessive exposure to sunlight may also result in this condition.

Treatment

Corticosteroid (steroid) cream can be of great help in treating this condition.
A mild cream will be sufficient for patches only on skin. A stronger cream is recommended for one that spreads all over the body.

Protection from the sun

A person will have to protect himself from sun as it tends to aggravate the condition.

Skin camouflage

This includes applying creams that are of the colour of your skin to hide the patches.