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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 Dr I.K 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.
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.
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