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Vitiligo – Symptoms, causes, and management options

Vitiligo is a condition that causes the skin to lose its color or pigmentation due to a lack of melanin-producing cells. It affects around 1% of the world’s population, and people of all skin types can develop the condition. While not dangerous or contagious, vitiligo causes visible symptoms that those affected may want to minimize or manage as much as possible. So, it’s important to understand key facts about the condition and consult a dermatologist.

Symptoms

While the condition may start at any age, its symptoms generally appear before the age of 30.

– Patches of depigmented skin (usually seen around the hands and face in the early stages)
– Premature whitening or greying of facial hair
– Loss of color in the mucous membranes

Causes

Vitiligo develops when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) die or stop functioning, resulting in a loss of color in the hair and skin. There is no clear explanation for what causes a lack of such cells, but the condition is believed to be linked to immune system disorders, hereditary problems, or trigger events such as stress, severe sunburn, or other skin trauma. Direct contact with phenol-containing chemicals could also increase the risk of this condition.

Management

Treatment is not typically necessary for vitiligo, as it is considered a cosmetic condition. That being said, a few remedies can help minimize vitiligo symptoms.

Home remedies : To prevent the spread of vitiligo, one must apply sunscreen with SPF 50+ to all exposed areas of the body when stepping out. In addition to this, applying a basil and lime paste or walnut paste to one’s skin can reduce the visibility of white patches.

Inflammation control : In the initial stages, doctors may suggest treatments like creams to control inflammation and restore some pigment to the skin.

Light therapy : In cases of actively spreading vitiligo, phototherapy with narrow-band ultraviolet (UV) B may help slow down the progression. That said, this option can take six months or longer to show results and may carry risks of other skin issues.

Depigmentation : If the condition is widespread and other treatments are not working, depigmentation may be suggested to manage vitiligo. In this process, any remaining pigment is drained to make the skin match the discolored areas.

Surgery : If other remedies and treatments do not work, those with stable vitiligo may consider surgical options like skin grafting, blister grafting, or cellular suspension transplant.

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