Skin Diseases Vitiligo

Skin Diseases Vitiligo
Not many people know much about Vitiligo. Well, it is a skin condition whereby patches form through loss of the brown pigment or melanin. When one suffers from Vitiligo, the cells that are responsible for production of the brown color pigment are destroyed. The melanocytes are thus unable to produce any new cells.

The patches where there are no melanocytes retain a white color. Sometimes, the melanocytes from unaffected areas might migrate to the affected area and cover the areas which were affected. This might make it difficult for some people to notice that they are suffering from Vitiligo.

There are many theories that try to explain what brings about skin diseases and Vitiligo complications. In one of the theories, the immune system attacks and eventually kills melanocytes. This scenario is known as an autoimmune reaction. This means that the immune system reacts to 'itself' rather than external invaders such as viruses and bacteria.

Another theory is about chemical reactions that are lethal. These reactions often take place when melanin is being produced. One of the effects of this reaction is destruction of melanocytes. The third explanation relates to function of skin nerves. These nerves sometimes produce signals that trigger destruction of melanocytes. This view is reinforced by the fact that Vitiligo affects some segments on the skin rather than the entire skin surface. A single patient may suffer from this condition through the work of more than one of one of these mechanisms.

This disease can affect people of all races. It can also affect people with different skin types. In a typical community, one percent of the population suffers from Vitiligo. Fifty per cent of all Vitiligo patients will show pigment loss by the time they are 20 years old. The disease is known to run in families.

People with Vitiligo in most cases also suffer from autoimmune disorders. The most common disorders in this case include thyroid disease, alopecia areata, Addison's disease among others. Addison's disease manifests itself through inability by the adrenal glands to function well.

Vitiligo mainly occurs in the face and both hands. The patches might affect the areas that are near the eyes and nose. This causes the patient to have a rather bizarre appearance of someone who is wearing a mask. The face looks disfigured. In this case, lesions are the main causes of disfiguration. One might easily be embarrassed to the extent of finding it difficult to make new friends. This can ultimately lead to loss of friends.