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Vitiligo |
Vitiligo |
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| Introduction |
| If you are noticing loss of pigments from your epidermal layer, see that you are not suffering from vitiligo. This is an auto immune action (an action which is automatic because of reflexes and one is unaware of the reason). What actually happens in this type of condition is that a person suffers from loss of pigments from usually both sides of the body. The skin looses its normal color but it is not a contagious disease as other skin disorders. The skin becomes white patched. It can occur at any part of the body but usually face arms and legs are affected more. |
| Alternative Names |
| It is also known as leucomderma, which means white skin. It is also called as acromia which also means loss of color. This is its medical name. |
| Causes |
| What exactly happens in this auto immune disease is that the pigments are lost from the epidermal and dermal layers resulting in white patches. There are no such external reasons for this occurrence of the vitiligo. The melanin which is responsible for the color determination in the cells of body is lost in this disease which causes the color to change, some what whitish. This melanin is produced with in the melanocytes the cells responsible for the production of melanin pigment. If in any case these melanocytes are destroyed or if they remain unable to produce melanin pigment the result will be vitiligo. Sometimes the immune system of the body destroys the melanocytes, resulting in vitiligo. The toxic offshoot produced within the cell can destroy the cell too. Some times the reason is genetic. If nerve cells of the body are not functioning properly the consequence can be vitiligo. |
| Risk Factors |
- Any one at any age can be affected by vitiligo.
- It affects more than 2% people around the world.
- In most cases it is observed that people develop it before the age of 20.
- No such other deficiency indicates the occurrence of vitiligo.
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| Symptoms & Signs |
| The most prominent symptom is loss of skin color resulting in white patches on skin; these patches can vary in number. There can be many and there can be just a few. No body parts are specific for this skin disorder. Usually people with light skin color notice it later but it can be clearly and easily noticed on wheatish complexion. The shape and size are also variable. These conditions usually get worse with time and there is no recovery of the skin pigments on itself. The patches can be seen all over the body at any part. Usually the body is equally affected on both parts. The color contrast becomes obvious by the passage of time. Some times the spread of this disease covers all the skin cells of the body, people think that its fine that all the pigments are now of same color but this can be a result of loss of pigments in all the body cells, but it is exceptional. |
| Diagnosis |
| A doctor can make the diagnosis on the basis of the person’s history by asking about the presence of disease in the same family before in parents or grand parents. Biopsy of a part of skin can tell more deeply about the disease. The doctor can also take a blood test to check that if this consequence is because of auto anti bodies, which may be responsible for the discoloration of the skin. Sensitivity to sun is also noticed in this respect. |
| Prevention |
| The exact cause of the vitiligo is still unknown so the prevention is not there but at least the treatment is available to cure the disease. |
| Treatment |
| There are many types of treatments available for vitiligo. For people of fair skin, it is easy to treat the disease. What they have to do is to simply keep away from tanning their skin, which makes the marks and patches of vitiligo unnoticeable. Repigmentation therapy is there to treat the white patchy area of the skin. Topical Corticosteroids and PUVA are the therapies of repigmentation but none of these can assure total cure. Other types of treatments include grafting and depigmentation. |
| Primary Natural Supplements |
| Vitamins
Amino Acids
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| Secondary Natural Supplements |
Vitamins
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin B5
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| Other Natural Supplements |
- Para-Amino Benzoic Acid
- Betaine HCI
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| Dietary Guidelines |
- Try to avoid fatty foods and red meat.
- Restricts the use of caffeine if you are in habit of its use other wise leave it out of your diet.
- Leafy green vegetables and fruits should be a part of the diet
- Plenty of water helps to keep your skin healthy.
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| Home Care Suggestions |
| Quit bad habits such as smoking and forbid yourself from all types of alcohol. If you are going out in sun try to use a good quality of sunscreen. |
| Mind/Body Considerations |
| Exercise and massage can keep your mind and body toned in good position. |
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