Vitiligo Origins
Resulting from
Vitiligo is a skin disorder characterized by the appearance of white regions on the skin. Vitiligo can affect any area of the body, and most vitiligo sufferers have white lesions on multiple areas. As melanin is lost, the human epidermis loses its characteristic hue. Melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, are destroyed in vitiligo patients. It is not yet understood why melanocytes are destroyed. Vitiligo may be an auto-immune disorder in which the body’s immune system begins to attack its own cells rather than invading pathogens.
Despite the fact that vitiligo effects people of all races equally, it is significantly more noticeable in those with darker skin tones. Approximately 2% of the global population and between 2 and 5 million Americans suffer from vitiligo. It makes no difference whether you are a male or a woman. In most cases, it can manifest earlier in life, particularly between the ages of 10 and 30. Furthermore, it almost always develops before age 40. The condition may run in families. You are more likely to develop vitiligo if someone in your family also has it, or if members of your family develop gray hair prematurely. Although the actual cause of vitiligo is not completely understood, there may be a variety of potential causes for vitiligo in different individuals.
The following are potential causes of vitiligo in the majority of patients:
autoimmune conditions
Increased likelihood of developing vitiligo is associated with autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and type 1 diabetes. Vitiligo develops when the melanocytes, or pigment-producing cells, stop functioning effectively or die, and the melanin pigment that gives your hair, skin, and eyes their color becomes depleted. Therefore, white, blotchy patches appear all over the epidermis or occasionally in specific body areas. The discolored skin regions may become white or lighter. It is unknown precisely what causes these melanin-producing cells to falter or die. Autoimmune disorders are characterized by a compromised immune system that produces antibodies that actively destroy melanin-producing cells.
Due to an auto-immune condition, non-segmental vitiligo is the most common form of vitiligo that can develop in some individuals. In an auto-immune condition, the immune system does not function correctly. The immune system of a patient with an autoimmune disorder attacks the body’s healthy tissues and cells, as opposed to defending against foreign agents such as viruses. If you have nonsegmental vitiligo, your immune system could be eliminating melanocyte skin cells. Vitiligo is closely associated with autoimmune disorders such as hyperthyroidism. However, not all vitiligo patients will exhibit these symptoms as a result of these conditions.
