What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo ( vit-i-LYE-go) also called "leukoderma", is a skin condition in which there is loss of pigment from areas of the skin resulting in irregular white spots or patches, even though the skin has normal texture. Vitiligo may appear at any age. Although it is a progressive condition, many people experience years or decades without developing new spots. The cause of vitiligo is not greatly understood, and there may be many causes that result in the condition. Vitiligo is not contagious in any way.

Susceptibility to vitiligo is thought by many to be genetic, as it is often, though not always, seen in families. It is thought by many experts that Vitiligo is an autoimmune related disorder, meaning a condition in which the body's immune system turns on its own tissue or cells, in this case, the melanocytes (pigment cells which give the skin its color.) Vitiligo, therefore, does not necessarily represent a weak or deficient immune system, but rather one which is malfunctioning or misdirected. Other research has centered on diet, vitamin deficiencies, and internal pathogens such as yeast proliferation. Though the condition has no other known effects on the body, the psychological and social effects are well documented. New research has suggested that too much hydrogen peroxide in the skin of those with vitiligo may be at the root of the problem. Called "oxidative stress," it is felt that people with vitiligo may not have the proper enzyme (or enough of it) to break down hydrogen peroxide, which naturally accumulates in the skin. Therefore this catalase enzyme deficiency may be the cause of vitiligo.

Vitiligo is more noticeable in darker skinned people because of the contrast, although when they tan, even lighter skinned people are affected. This condition affects about 1% to 2% of the US population, or about 3 to 6 million people. In some countries, the incidence is even higher. Worldwide, there are thought to be more than 100 million people with vitiligo. Vitiligo would appear to be as old as the recorded history of man - it is mentioned in the Bible, and there are references to it in ancient Egyptian, Greek and Chinese writings. For years, many dermatologists have told their patients that vitiligo is untreatable, or have offered only limited treatments such as steroid creams or PUVA. These treatments are also used in treatment of psoriasis which is discussed below. Some doctors are so insensitive that they would tell their patients "You're lucky it's not fatal. or "You're lucky you don't have cancer." And while it's true the condition is not fatal or physically debilitating, this is of little consolation to most sufferers. In this age of genetic engineering it is only a matter of time before real, effective, cause mechanistic treatments for vitiligo emerge. But as this point vitiligo is a treatable condition, though treatment can take two years or longer to regain pigment.

There is more research being conducted than ever before; in Europe, in Asia, and in the U.S., new technologies and research are changing physicians' approaches to the condition. The recent mapping of the human genome has paved the way for advanced genetic research into vitiligo, and other cell-based theories are also gaining attention. Many experts believe that with genetic and biomedical technology improving as they are, that within the next few years, we will see a greater understanding of vitiligo, as well as faster and more reliable treatments for this, and other autoimmune condition. But this may be small comfort if your big date or job interview is tomorrow. Meanwhile if you have vitiligo today and are self conscious about your appearance the fastest and cheapest way to allow people to see you and not your vitiligo, is cosmetic treatments such as makeup or skin dyes. Dyes available today have a draw back. They offer only a very limited ability to match the color of the skin unaffected by the vitiligo. Despite all the progress in science and in education most people still see other people from the outside and if the outside does not look normal or healthy the instinctive reaction you receive is negative. You should never feel ashamed of who you are, but that does not mean you want to look less than perfect if you can avoid it. This is why vitiligo sufferers often rely on corrective makeup.

Remember that for men and women alike, the famous among us are not strangers to makeup for long. Resorting to makeup only means that you not better than your favorite TV, movie or stage personalities or journalists and politicians as well. In our society most of the people we look up to are seen in only after being made up
(information resources include...www.vitiligosupport.com).