Vitiligo is a condition that causes depigmentation of parts of the skin. It occurs when skin pigment cells die or are unable to function. The cause of Vitiligo, aside from cases of contact with certain chemicals, is unknown, but research suggests it may arise from autoimmune, genetic, oxidative stress, neural, or viral causes. The incidence worldwide is less than 1%, with some populations averaging between 2-3% and as high as 16%.
Signs and symptoms
The only symptom of Vitiligo is the presence of pale patchy areas of depigmented skin which tend to occur on the extremities. The patches are initially small, but often grow and change shape. When skin lesions occur, they are most prominent on the face, hands and wrists. The loss of skin pigmentation is particularly noticeable around body orifices, such as the mouth, eyes, nostrils, genitalia and umbilicus. Some lesions have increased skin pigment around the edges. Patients who are stigmatized for their condition may experience depression and similar mood disorders.
Treatment
There are many treatments for vitiligo with the best evidence for applied steroids and the combination of ultraviolet light in combination with creams. Due to the higher risks of skin cancer, the United Kingdom's National Health Service suggests phototherapy only be used if primary treatments are ineffective. In general, non-segmental vitiligo is responding to treatment better than segmental form. Better efficiency consistently observed when disease duration is shorter and at younger age. The most hard-to-repigment lesions located on hands, feet and joints, with lesions on head and neck being easiest to return natural skin color.
Prognosis
The most common complications to how they victim lives their life are harrassment, Depression, Anxiety, Uveitis, and Premature graying due to stressors above. These are internal complications and affect only how the victim is seen with Vitiligo.
But other physical affects could include Rash, Polios,