Last Updated on 18th January 2023 by Caroline Haye
Mucosal vitiligo
Do you ever ask yourself pointless questions, like whether fish drink water or why men have nipples? (OK – just me then.) I recently asked myself a vitiligo question that sounds equally silly. Namely, do vitiligo sufferers develop white patches inside their body as well as on the outside? You may reply, who cares if you can’t see them? But the question really isn’t as pointless as it sounds. In fact, it is true that vitiligo can affect the mucous membranes, in which case doctors call it mucosal vitiligo… The inside story, if you will, of this skin condition.
Mucosal vitiligo typically affects the moist linings of the mouth, nose, genital, and rectal areas. It is hard to find any information about mucosal vitiligo occurring deeper inside the body. But I imagine the most likely reason for this is that virtually no one has ever studied this particular question. Why? Because, for so long, the medical profession considered it to be a purely cosmetic problem. So, why would anyone be concerned about having white patches inside them where no one can see them?
Vitiligo is not a purely cosmetic problem
Well, I do not believe that vitiligo is a purely cosmetic problem. (With the possible exception of chemically induced leukoderma, which has an environmental cause and is most likely localised to a particular area of skin).
My own experience of vitiligo, and everything I have read about it, points to associations with other chronic health disorders…Such as Diabetes, Thyroid disease, Pernicious Anaemia, Addison’s disease, Liver disease and other autoimmune diseases.
Research suggests that there are a variety of causes of vitiligo, just as there are a variety of types. So I realise that my experience of it may not apply to everyone. But I am certain that in my case – and many others – systemic disorders are the root cause of pigment loss. In other words, the white patches (both inside and outside the body) are symptoms of other chronic health issues. (You may find this link interesting. It is a flow chart illustrating some of the theories of vitiligo cause and effect.)
I have written a lot about the apparent relationship between my vitiligo and digestive problems. And about how I have been able to virtually cure both using nutritional supplements. But something I have not mentioned before is the fact that I also had long-term sinus trouble. (Persistent rhinitis, causing a stuffy nose, sore throats and acid reflux.) So perhaps there is a link between mucosal abnormalities of the sinuses, stomach, bowel etc. and vitiligo.
Whether there really is such a link I don’t know. But it does seem like a reasonable connection to make. And, if so, it begs the question… Is vitiligo a cause or an effect of these other conditions? I rather doubt that much research has gone into this possibility. But it is definitely food for thought.
