All to Know About Vitiligo
- Posted on: Jun 15 2017
Having white spots across your face or body isn’t necessarily something you are likely striving for. However, if you have a condition called Vitiligo, then this might just be your new reality. Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes progressive pigmentation— leaving you with white patches on your skin, scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows. So, how is vitiligo caused and how can it be treated? Read on to learn more.
How is Vitiligo Caused?
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder that causes your immune cells to attack the cells in your body, called melanocytes, that cause permanent damage. Just like with most autoimmune disorders, the cause of vitiligo is not yet known. There is some scientific evidence that points to the correlation between vitiligo and other autoimmune diseases like Addison’s disease, hyperthyroidism, and pernicious anemia. Even though vitiligo can run in some families, it can affect individuals of any gender, race, or age.
What Are the Symptoms of Vitiligo?
As previously mentioned, the most obvious symptoms of vitiligo are that you will notice white patches across your face, body, or even scalp. If vitiligo is present on your scalp, your hair will turn white. And if it is present on your eyelids, it can cause your eyebrows or eyelashes also to turn white. The good thing about vitiligo is that it isn’t painful; it can, however, cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sun and more prone to burning.
How Is Vitiligo Treated?
There are a variety of different treatments used to treat vitiligo including:
- Topical corticosteroids
- Autologous skin grafts from pigmented areas
- Phototherapy (medical exposure to ultraviolet light)
- Medical tattooing (micro-pigmentation)
- Topical immunosuppressants
- Topical drugs (to increase skin sensitivity to light)
If you think you have vitiligo, contact our doctors at Callender Cosmetic and Dermatology Center today to schedule an appointment.
Posted in: Vitiligo
