Also known as Leucoderma
ABOUT THE DISEASE
Vitiligo / leucoderma is a disease that causes white areas or patches on the skin. The disease occurs when immune cells destroy the melanocytes (the skin cells that produce melanin, the chemical that gives skin its brown color, or pigmentation).
SYMPTOMS
It starts with small white patches appearing in different parts of the body, mostly hands, face, elbows, although they may appear on any part of the body. They may grow in size, remain as it is or vanish from one part of the body after some time.
DIAGNOSIS
- Physical examination
- Wood’s lamp examination, using ultraviolet light that causes the areas of skin with less pigment to glow bright white.
- Skin biopsy, to rule out other causes
CAUSES
Considered to be an autoimmune disorder in majority of the cases. It may have a genetic or neurogenic basis. People with vitiligo may be more likely to get other autoimmune diseases, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, pernicious anemia, Addison’s disease, and alopecia areata.
TREATMENT METHODS
- Medications :- Corticosteroids, topical vitamin D analogs and immunomodulators.
- Phototherapy
- Skin grafting
- Melanocyte transfer
You may also like to learn about:
Skin cancer
Urticaria
Psoriasis
Lichen planus
Pityriasis versicolor
Xeroderma pigmentosa