Vitiligo

What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a an autoimmune condition that causes skin depigmentation. It takes the form of skin white spots with a sharp margin and a milk white color. The normal texture and sensation of the skin are preserved. No scaling occurs.

What is leucoderma?

Leucoderma is just another name for vitiligo: "leuco" means white and "derma" refers to the skin (Greek root).

What is the cause of Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is the result of the damage or death of the skin’s melanocytes (cells that are responsible for the color of skin).

There are different theories about the cause of vitiligo:

• The body’s immune system may destroy melanocytes. Pigment  may be destroyed as the body responds to a substance it perceives as foreign (the most accepted theory).
• There is genetic defect that makes the melanocytes susceptible to injury.
• Abnormally functioning nerve cells may produce toxic substances that injure melanocytes
• Melanocytes self-destruction. While pigment is forming, toxic byproducts could be produced injuring and destroying melanocytes.

Researchers believe that a combination of these theories may provide the best explanation.

Can Vitiligo be associated to other conditions?

Yes, people it can be associated to other autoimmune disorders.

Source : Portal Content Team