Loss of skin pigmentation in pathes.This can affect persons of any race or ethnic group.
Body parts involved?
Skin on the back of the hands,face and armpits usually involved.
Sex or Age most affected?
Late childhood(9 to 12 tears)to mid adulthood.
Sign & Symptoms
Macules(small areas of different skin color)or patches with the following characteristics;
They are flat,white and can’t be felt with fingers.
They spread to form very large,irrigularly shaped areas without pigmentation.
They are usually on both sides of the body in approximately the same place.
Their size varies from 2mm or 3mm to several centimeters in diameter.
They don’t hurt or itch.
Disorder also causes premature graying of hair.
Causes:
Probably autoimmune diseases.The pigment producing cells (melanocytes)don’t function normally,allowing destruction of pigment.Once pigment has been destroyed,melanocytes can’t produce more pigment.
Risk Increases With
Family history of vitiligo
Thyroid or adrenal diseases.
Diabetes Mellitus
Addison’s diseases
Pernicious anemia
Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism
Myasthenia gravis
Unusual physical trauma.
How to prevent?
Cannot be prevented at present.
Medication
Now some very effective medicines are available.