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Vitiligo is a chronic condition in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. As a result, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body. Similar patches also appear on both the mucous membranes (tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose), and perhaps in the retina (inner layer of the eyeball). The hair that grows on areas affected by vitiligo sometimes turns white
All autoimmune diseases involve the interaction of multiple genes and environmental triggers, he continues. You are born with your genes, but you are not born with these diseases. Something happens. We know what the triggers are that start these diseases, that is stress, infections, maybe we could avoid them or even block the process. In fact, it may even be possible to actually stop the autoimmune disease.

The most immediate application of this research might be for the disease that began the research: vitiligo. Doctors usually treat vitiligo with ultraviolet (UV) light to stimulate skin repigmentation. Scientists also know that there is one medication available (approved for treating rheumatoid arthritis) that blocks an inflammatory pathway. The possibility of combining a drug with UV light to improve vitiligo treatment is intriguing, and CIDPUSA is now interested in finding out more about how the medication might affect people with vitiligo.

Vitiligo is the loss of skin pigmentation, the  appearance of white patches on the skin. Vitiligo may start on a small area and gradually expand to cover large areas of the body. The cause is autoimmune. It is not a threat to health, however the noticeable color contrasts on the skin are psychologically stressful. There are two basic approaches to vitiligo treatment. One is by treating the autoimmune inflammatory response and the other is local treatment of the skin. Both are attempts to reduce the patchy color contrast between light (affected) and darker, natural skin. It may be practical to re-color the white patches in several ways.

Sun Exposure
The patches will not produce melanin and will not tan. Also important is the fact that the areas without melanin are extraordinarily sensitive to sun burn and damage. Clearly, avoiding UV rays is a primary step in reducing the appearance and sun sensitivity of Vitiligo. One fact to remember is that Infar-red light is very important in the treatment of Vitiligo, these are the early morning Sun rays. A exposure to those or in the evening not only prevents wrinkles but helps get rid of Vitiligo in early stages.


Fade darker tanned areas in light skin using exfoliation and skin lighteners.
Use sunless tanning systems (lotions, sprays) which quickly add color to the skin overall




Vitiligo is a disease in which the skin loses pigment due to the destruction of melanocytes or pigment cells. Areas of the skin become white. The most common sites of pigment loss are body folds (such as the groin or armpits), around body openings and exposed areas like the face or hands. Vitiligo is common; in fact 1 to 2% of the general population has it. Its incidence is higher in people with thyroid conditions and some other metabolic diseases, but most people who have Vitiligo are in good health and suffer no symptoms other than areas of pigment loss. In addition to treatments to repigment skin, in extremely progressive, full-body vitiligo called vitiligo universalis, the patient can opt to bleach the remaining pigment off healthy skin.  This is the proposed medical scenario with performer Michael Jackson, who claims to have been afflicted with vitiligo universalis. As opposed to seeking repigmentation, Jackson opted instead for depigmentation of remaining, naturally dark areas.  Some people benefit by application of steroids. Many others have used cur cumin and  it has anti-inflammatory effects.