What is Leucoderma or Vitiligo?
Leucoderma and vitiligo can be used interchangeably. These terms are used for the medical condition described as abnormal depigmentation of the skin. In this condition, patches of the skin will turn white as the melanocytes die.
It is difficult to pinpoint what the exact reason caused the disease to develop in a person. Still, most research studies suggest that vitiligo has viral, genetic, or autoimmune causes. This can also be caused oxidative stress.
Also, there is no direct diagnostic examination to determine if the patient will develop vitiligo later in life.
Often, the white patches start out small but could quickly spread out to the rest of the body. The ailment is particularly pronounced in patients with dark skin but is also a common occurrence in people with light skin.
Symptoms Of Leucoderma Disorder
When a person has leucoderma or vitiligo, he or she will often see a small patch of white skin appear on any part of the body. This spot can either increase in size or it can slowly be followed by a few other similar spots in other areas of the body or near the area of the initial discoloration.
Here are a few more symptoms of vitiligo skin problem:
- Sometimes alopecia or the loss of hair may follow the appearance of these white spots that are called leucoderma.
- Some people who suffer from leucoderma also experience the premature graying of their hair.
- There are instances when people who have vitiligo or leucoderma see that the skin that is turning white also has hair that is turning white. For example, if the skin on the our arm is turning white due to this ailment, then the hair that is growing on the part of the skin that is turning white will turn white too.
- Sufferers of vitiligo may also suffer from a marked sensitivity to cold weather.
- A feeling of weakness may also be included in the list of symptoms that a person may feel when he/she has vitiligo or leucoderma.
Dealing with Vitiligo
Remember, there is no cure for vitiligo. Still, a person can cope with the disease through the following tips:
- Perhaps the most inexpensive way to deal with vitiligo is to hide the white patches under clothing articles and cosmetics. Of course, that is easier when the patches are small and are in places easily hidden by clothing.
- The skin should also be protected from sunburn with the use of sunblock.
- Reversal of the condition can be done with the use of corticosteroid creams.
