Vitiligo is a common skin disease. The incidence of Vitiligo is one in one hundred in developed countries. Male to female ratio is same. No specific ethnic tendency is seen.
Vitiligo presents white patches on skin. Vitiligo occurs when there is destruction or damage to milanocytes. This disease can progress slowly or rapidly to involve the whole body surface.
The commonmost form of Vitiligo is generalized Vitiligo which involves both sides of body. If only one side of body is involved then it is called segmental Vitiligo. Vitiligo can begin at any age. About fifty percent of people present Vitiligo before 20 years.
Vitiligo is a non infectious disease. So it can not be stopped as such with any therapy. Response of disease varies a lot. There are not special clinical features. Vitiligo can cause severe psychological disturbance for patients, if there is face involvement. The disease more noticeable on dark skin. The course of disease is very unpredictable some people will have static condition of disease for many years but in other people it can speared rapidly in cases, the white patches can have spontaneous repigmantation. This is very rare that Vitiligo reserves completely without any treatment.
Causes
We don’t know why Vitiligo is happening?
We know milanocytes are not properly functioning, although some of them survive both in skin and have follows in white patches. We do not know exact cause of this problem. Many theories exist, to explain damage and loss of melanin pigment, the most popular is autoimmune theory which means our bodys own immune system is having antibodies against pigment cells.
Another theory tells us that genes play an important role in Vitiligo. It has been noticed in people with autoimmune diseases like thyroid disease. Also in people who have family members that suffered from Vitiligo. This theory also further strengthens the autoimmune theory.
Neuronal theory states that nerves in skin are involved in damage to milanocytes. Oxidative stress theory which is based on breakdown of antioxidant defenses in melanocytes and skin, also explain to little extant happing of Vitiligo. Higher level of Hydrogen peroxide also plays a role in Vitiligo.
Some environmental factors such as psychological traumas, hormonal variations skin trauma and exposure to chemicals may cause Vitiligo. They can also play role in development and progression of disease.
Out Door Protection
Out door sun protection is important part of management of Vitiligo. Because white patches of Vitiligo skin have no natural protection against the sun rays. There is absence of melanocytes in white patches of Vitiligo, so lack of protection against sun rays. Normally the sun increases melanin production, which tans the skin.
So the most important reason for skin protection is prevention of sunburn. Because sunburn is painful and can stimulates progression and spread of Vitiligo. Excessive sun exposure can also produce skin wrinkles.
Sun blocks are advisable in treatment of Vitiligo. As sun blocks prevent sunburn of Vitiligo skin. It is preferable that sun protection factor (SPF) of 20 should be used with UVA and UVB filters.
Sunblock is not the only option or way to protect white patches of Vitiligo skin. It is not the solution to rely only on sunblocks. Other measures like wide brimmed hat, sun glasses and sun protective clothings, as far as possible should be used. The timings to apply sunblock, should be clearly explained to Vitiligo person. Sunblock should be reapplied after swimming and exercise. Some sun exposure in cooler part of day is also beneficial.
So the Vitiligo patient should be careful in out door activities and sunbath during holidays.
