Vitiligo Treatment
Vitiligo is a rare skin condition that affects only about 1% of the world’s population. Many celebrities such as “Michael Jackson” also had Vitiligo, he developed the condition when he was in his 20’s. Vitiligo is neither fatal nor life-threatening, but they do kill your confidence and self-esteem. Though the available Vitiligo Treatment does not promise a complete cure, some treatments cease the patches from spreading.
Vitiligo can affect any race or ethnicity, in people with darker skin, it appears to be more noticeable. People suffering from this rare skin order may experience extreme emotional stress, depression and even suicidal thoughts.
What is Vitiligo
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease when your body is attacking specific cells that make melanin which is produced by Melanocytes. These melanins are responsible for the colour of your skin. When this gets destroyed or does not function, white patches occur. Vitiligo, being a skin condition, can affect and spread to any part of your body. It is mostly visible on the parts of the skin which are exposed to the sun. Areas of the skin like the face, neck, and hands are likely to get affected. Patch sizes also vary some individual develops one or two small patches that don’t develop, and others get larger white that joins up over a larger area of the skin.
Types of Vitiligo
The white patches produced by Vitiligo classified by type;
Non-Segmental Vitiligo
This type of vitiligo is more common and affects any age group, and it occurs at various locations on both sides of the body. It is found that in Non-segmental, the immune cells attack the melanocytes.
Segmental Vitiligo
This type of vitiligo mostly affects children and occurs in segments along a single spinal nerve, typically on one side of the body. In Segmented vitiligo, there seem to be neural factors, where nerves release neurochemicals that damage the melanocytes.
Causes of Vitiligo
The exact cause of this skin disorder is not known, but it does seem to link to both genetics and environmental triggers.
Common Myths about Vitiligo
Myth: Vitiligo is contagious.
Fact: No, Vitiligo is not contagious; it is an autoimmune disorder.
Myth: There is the most common myth that only people with dark skin get Vitiligo.
Fact: But the truth is that Vitiligo affects all races, but in people with dark skin, it is more apparent.
Myth: Vitiligo is related to skin cancer.
Fact: Skin Cancer and vitiligo both are different skin conditions
Myth: Sun damage causes Vitiligo.
Fact: Vitiligo sufferers should indeed avoid the sun because they lack melanin in the skin, which protects the skin from UV rays of the sun. But there is no connection that sun damage causes vitiligo.
Myth: Vitiligo is curable.
Fact: To date, there is no cure for vitiligo, but there are many Vitiligo Treatments that ceases the patches from spreading.
Vitiligo Treatment
There are two main treatments when the affected area is small, cosmetic cover-up and topical immune suppressant can be applied directly to the skin.
When the affected area is large, systemic immune suppressant, UV-Phototherapy, skin bleaching are done.
Vitiligo Prevention
Use Sunscreen: Sunscreen helps protect the skin from sunburn, minimizes tanning. Use a sunscreen having a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
Wear Comfortable Clothes: Friction injuries lead to the formation of a new vitiligo patch. Wearing comfortable clothes and keeping the nails short reduces friction.
Yoga and Meditation: Stress, Depression, and anxiety directly linked with Vitiligo. Practising Yoga and meditation reduces depression and relieves anxiety.
Harmful foods for Vitiligo: Avoiding foods such as tamarind, citrus fruits, and processed food. Try eating green vegetables, which can help reactivate, our skin’s colour giving cells, reducing the chances of white spots appearing.