You Ask, They Answer
Q
: What is vitiligo and how common is it?
A
: Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition in which patches of skin lose their pigment. This results in the formation of white patches on the skin, which can occur anywhere on the body. Vitiligo occurs when melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin( the pigment that gives skin its colour), die or stop functioning.
The exact cause of vitiligo is not completely understood, but it is believed to be an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the melanocytes in the skin. Other factors such as genetics, environmental triggers, and oxidative stress may also play a role in the development of vitiligo.
Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, but it is more noticeable in individuals with darker skin tones. The condition can develop at any age, though it most commonly appears between the ages of 10 and 30. Vitiligo is not contagious or life-threatening but can have a significant impact on a person’ s self-esteem and quality of life.
Q
: What are its symptoms and causes?
A
: Vitiligo typically starts with the appearance of lightened patches on the skin. These patches may be small and isolated at first but can gradually expand and merge with other patches over time. The primary symptom of vitiligo is the loss of skin colour, resulting in white or depigmented patches on the skin.
Its symptoms include irregular patches of skin that have lost pigment, premature greying or whitening of the hair on the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, or beard, and loss of pigmentation in the tissues inside the mouth and nose. Causes of vitiligo typically involve an autoimmune response in which the immune system mistakenly targets and destroys the melanocytes in the skin. Another cause may be the result of genetic factors where one’ s genetic predisposition seems to play a role in the development of vitiligo. Individuals with a family history of autoimmune diseases or vitiligo are at a higher risk. A third factor can be environmental conditions, such as exposure to certain chemicals, stress, skin trauma, or sunburn that can trigger or exacerbate vitiligo in susceptible individuals.
Q
: Are there different types of vitiligo?
A
: There are two main types of vitiligo. Non- Segmental Vitiligo( NSV) is the most common type, accounting for about 90 percent of cases. In NSV, depigmented patches appear on both sides of the body in a symmetrical pattern. The other type, Segmental Vitiligo( SV), is less common and typically affects only one side of the body. It tends to progress for a year or so and then stabilises. SV usually appears earlier than NSV and progresses more rapidly.
Each type of vitiligo may require different treatment approaches, and their prognoses can vary. Individuals with vitiligo should work closely with a dermatologist to develop a personalised treatment plan that meets their specific needs.
Q
: Is vitiligo hereditary?
A
: Vitiligo can have a genetic component but is not always directly hereditary. While the exact genetic mechanisms behind vitiligo are not fully understood, there may be a genetic predisposition to developing the condition.
Individuals with a family history of vitiligo or other autoimmune conditions are at a higher risk of developing the condition themselves, suggesting a genetic predisposition.
The inheritance pattern of vitiligo appears to be complex and involves multiple genes. It is likely influenced by a combination of genetic factors, environmental triggers, and immune system dysregulation.
Vitiligo is considered a polygenic trait, meaning that multiple genes contribute to the risk of developing the condition. This can make it challenging to predict whether a person will inherit vitiligo based solely on family history.
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