Vitiligo affects 1% of the world's population. However, it affects the psychological and emotional health of the affected person as a result of the change in skin color and society's perception of it. But there is no need to worry, as medicine has made clear and exciting progress in surgical and non-surgical treatments for vitiligo. In this article, we explain it to you in detail along with the causes and types of the disease, so continue reading.

What is vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a skin condition that occurs as a result of the body's immune system attacking the melanocytes responsible for producing melanin, which leads to their destruction and loss of the natural skin color, and it appears lighter or turns white.

Vitiligo affects different parts of the body, such as: 

• The face and areas exposed to the sun, such as hands, arms and feet.
• Mouth and other mucous membranes.
• genitals.
• Hair color turns silver or white.
• Back part of the eye.
• The ear and the auditory system inside it.

How does vitiligo start?

Vitiligo begins with small white spots on the hands, arms, or face, and then these spots develop, get larger, or spread to other places on the body.

The locations and quantity of skin affected by vitiligo vary from one person to another. Some people develop small spots in specific places on the body without them expanding or spreading, while others have areas where vitiligo spreads on the body.

Is vitiligo contagious?

Vitiligo is not contagious, and is not transmitted to other people, although it affects different parts of the body, but its spread is due to the immune system attacking melanocytes.

You can also see Diagnosis of skin diseases and the most prominent causes of infection

What are the types of vitiligo?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there are several Types of vitiligoIt includes the following:

1. Generalized vitiligoIt is the most common type, and causes spots of different sizes and areas in various different places on the body.
2. Segmental vitiligo, It affects one side of the body or one area, such as the hands or face.
3. mucous membrane vitiligo, It affects the area around the mouth, lips, mucous membranes inside it, or the genitals.
4. focal vitiligo, It is a rare type that affects a small area of ​​the body and does not spread within one to two years.
5. vitiligo eye, It affects the eye from the inside, making it white or colorless.
6. Global vitiligo, It is a rare type that affects 80% of the body's skin.
7. Non-segmental vitiligo, It is a condition in which the skin, hair and mucous membranes gradually lose their pigment. 
8. peripheral facial vitiligo, It affects the face, hands, and sometimes the feet.
9. mixed vitiligo, It is a condition that combines segmental and non-segmental vitiligo.

What are the causes of vitiligo?

Doctors and researchers do not know the real cause of vitiligo, but medical studies have indicated the following reasons:

• The immune system attacks melanocytes, so it is considered an autoimmune disease.
• Genetic mutations or changes in the body's DNA that affect how melanocytes function. Medical studies have found that there are more than 30 genes that can increase the risk of developing vitiligo.
• Stress: Medical studies have shown that the amount of melanin produced by melanocytes may change as a result of repeated physical or emotional stress.
• Exposure to toxic chemicals or ultraviolet sunlight may also increase the risk of vitiligo.
• Genetic causes, as medical studies indicate that 20-30% of vitiligo cases are hereditary.

What is the treatment for vitiligo?

There is no definitive cure for vitiligo, because it is an autoimmune disease that continues with a person throughout his life, but treatment options may prevent the development of the disease, or help

Below we explain to you the most important types of treatments:

pharmaceutical

There are no medications that treat or prevent vitiligo, but they work to slow the loss of skin pigment and help prevent it from regaining it again. Among the most popular medications used are the following:

• Topical or oral corticosteroids.
• Topical Janus kinase inhibitors.
• Calcineurin inhibitors.

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Phototherapy helps restore skin tone by shining specific wavelengths of ultraviolet B rays on the affected skin, and the patient may need two to three sessions per week.

Psoralen increases the skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet A rays, so doctors resort to combining them to treat large areas of affected skin, especially in the head, neck, torso, and arms. 

The patient needs 6-12 months of phototherapy to be able to see positive results. This, of course, depends on the size of the vitiligo, the locations of the lesion, and its severity.

Pigmentation treatment

This treatment depends on removing the natural skin color to suit the areas affected by vitiligo, and it uses topical ointments and creams, such as: Monobenzone cream.

This treatment takes a long period of time, ranging from 1 to 4 years, depending on the original skin color and grade, but it may make the skin more fragile and tender, so dermatologists advise avoiding sunlight or using sunscreen creams if necessary.

Surgery

There are several types of surgical procedures that help Vitiligo treatmentIt includes the following:

Skin grafting or mini-grafting, which is performed by taking a healthy part of the body’s skin to cover the affected part, which helps hide vitiligo and unify skin color.

Bubble grafting, which is performed by creating a blister on healthy skin or a blister, then the doctor removes the upper part of it and connects it to the skin affected by vitiligo.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy helps relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and lack of self-confidence as a result of changes in skin color, and doctors may recommend it in conjunction with other treatments.

Book your consultation now at مركز الجلدية والتجميل At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital 

In the end, vitiligo is not dangerous, and you can live with it happily and completely comfortably. All you have to do now is adhere to the doctor’s instructions and psychological sessions so that you can express what is inside you, regain self-confidence, and not be afraid of the society around you. This will certainly help you progress and succeed in your personal and professional life.

Frequently asked questions

Can vitiligo be cured?

Vitiligo is considered a skin disease that is difficult to cure completely, but some medications can be used to reduce the complications of the condition and help restore skin color. 

What does vitiligo look like at its beginning?

The color of the skin turns into pale spots at first, which are more noticeable in people with dark skin, and with time they turn pink, especially as the condition develops, as the immune system begins to fight the cells. 

Is vitiligo contagious or not?

Vitiligo is not a contagious disease as it is an autoimmune disease that is not transmitted through contact or even saliva. 

Sources and references

Vitiligo – nhs

Vitiligo – niams