Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a condition where there is loss of skin colour, or pigmentation. The areas of depigmentation are symmetrical, commonly occur in parts of the body subject to mild trauma (the hands, the elbows) and have sharply defined borders. This is one of the so-called auto-immune disorders, where the body’s defence mechanisms turn against itself – in this case against the cells called melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin.

Why it occurs is unknown, but it may be associated with other auto-immune disorders such as hypo-thyroidism or pernicious anaemia.

Some cases, particularly in dark-skinned people where the disorder can cause considerable distress, may be helped by Ultra Violet Light A therapy together with a chemical called a psoralen (PUVA Therapy). The main form of treatment, however, is cosmetic camouflage. It is essential that strong sunscreens should be used both to prevent burning of the depigmented areas (which won’t tan) and to stop increased pigmentation in the normal skin – which would make the appearance worse.

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