One of the most common questions about this condition is the most basic one: What is vitiligo (a.k.a leucoderma)? It’s still an unfamiliar name to most people. And it is still one of the least talked-about skin conditions. Despite the fact that approximately 1 – 2 people in every 100 worldwide have it.
What kind of condition is it?
Vitiligo is a pigmentary disorder which results in a loss of natural skin colour. This loss typically occurs in apparently random patches of varying shapes and sizes. These patches can appear anywhere on the face or body. They can even develop on the mucous membranes inside the body (e.g. mouth, vagina) as well as inside the eyes and ears. The loss of pigment can also affect hair, which will then also lose its colour.
Depigmentation usually spreads over a longer or shorter period of time and can afffect the entire body. This is known as universal vitiligo. But this is relatively rare. The most common form of the condition is known as non-segmental (or generalised) vitiligo. This means both sides of the body lose pigment, typically in a symmetrical pattern. A less common type of vitiligo is called segmental and only affects one half of the body. This type tends not to progress as much as non-segmental but is more difficult to treat.
Who gets vitiligo?
Anyone can develop vitiligo. It does not seem to favour any particular race, age or gender. It is no more common among one skin type than any other. But it is inevitably more conspicuous on darker skin tones than light ones.
Can I catch vitiligo?
Absolutely not. It is not a “disease” in the sense of an infection of any kind. So it can’t be passed from on person to another. It is simply a disorder which causes what can be described as “fragile pigment”. Scientists believe it to be partly genetic and partly autoimmune. This means that a person has to have a particular gene mutation to develop vitiligo. And this can cause their own immune system to mistakenly target their pigment cells (melanocytes) for attack.
Is it dangerous?
Vitiligo is not remotely dangerous in itself. But it can sometimes occur as one or more of various other autoimmune conditions, like thyroid disease, diabetes or lupus. And these may be potentially more harmful. So it is a good idea to ask your doctor to run tests to rule these out. The only other way you could describe vitiligo as harmful is psychologically. For some individuals it is just a cosmetic issue. For others it can be deeply distressing, emotionally and socially. And this aspect of the condition needs to be taken very seriously.
What vitiligo treatments are there?
Vitiligo is classified as “incurable”. But there are many treatments that can help. And, occasionally, the condition can improve on its own, although this is rare. Western medicine has not yet produced much in the way of effective medicines. But experimental drugs are at last reaching the stage of clinical trials and may soon be available. In the meantime, the most effective, evidence-based treatments include narrowband UVB phototherapy and topical products (like Protopic) that can help prevent depigmentation by damping down the body’s immune response. Additionally, there is a large body of anecdotal evidence to support a variety of traditional vitiligo therapies. These include nutritional supplementation, herbal and ayurvedic remedies and sun exposure. The effectiveness of all treatments varies from one individual to the next. But results can be very significant and well worth the effort.