What is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo: a skin disease.
Most of you are not familiar with vitiligo. I can say even all of you don’t know anything about vitiligo or haven’t heard the name of this disease yet. What is vitiligo? In this essay, you will learn what vitiligo is.
Vitiligo is a skin disease, the reason of which disease is not completely determined. Most of the people are getting this disease genetically. According to the specialists, the most probable reason is anomaly in liver. Those specialists claim that most of the skin based diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo are due to malfunction in liver. Vitiligo doesn’t kill or cause to kill in any way. Almost all of the vitiligo patients are physically healthy. However, they are not mentally good enough.
How can we understand whether we have vitiligo or not? It is quite simple because there are very explicit signs of vitiligo disease. Vitiligo is characterized by unpigmented skin and milky white patches. Most of the time, those of the patches are symmetrically placed in our body. These milky white spots may be on every part of our body. However, they are usually placed in our soft skin. In vitiligo, melanocyte cells which give our skin the color of our body lose the ability of synthesize the pigments.
There is no medical treatment applied in vitiligo. However, in most of the countries herbalists apply herbal medical treatments. In Turkey, there are several herbalists focusing on the treatment or healing of vitiligo. Many people prefer using herbal treatment to medical treatment in hospitals. In clinical medicine, vitiligo patients are exposed to ultraviolet rays for specified time. Treatment by ultraviolet rays takes two or three months depending on the violence and severity of the problem. Besides, many people use cosmetics as the final cure.
I have been suffered vitiligo for years. I faced with many people suffering this disease. However, they are all happy in their lives since they don’t mind vitiligo. All of them are aware of the danger which triggers the vitiligo. This danger is stressful life. If they mind vitiligo, they are suffered to not only vitiligo but also other mental illnesses. Shortly, we are not damned. We are just patients, but special patients.
Liked it
IcyCucky | Jan 20, 2008 | Reply
I now have some knowledge about this skin disease..Thank you!
Hmmmm | Jan 21, 2008 | Reply
Where on earth did you get your data regarding the mental illness connection with vitiligo? I have had vitiligo for over 10 years and I have heard no such thing. When stating such a “fact,” one should cite the source.
louie jerome | Feb 4, 2008 | Reply
Interesting article, I gather that you meant ‘mental stress’ rather than mental illness?
vitiligo victim | Feb 19, 2008 | Reply
sad to say.. until now there is no effective way to cure vitiligo..
i think surgical vitiligo theraphies is the most effective and the fast way..
http://effectivevitiligotreatment.blogspot.com/2007/11/surgical-therapies.html
skeebadeek | Apr 4, 2008 | Reply
What are these Herbal treatments that they are using in other countries?
Keith | Apr 29, 2008 | Reply
I think anyone with health issues should check out http://mmsmiracle.com/nesara311
Im not sure but this condition could have parasite involved in which case MMS mineral would surely cure this
valarie | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
I have tried just about everything including the UVA light treatment and I just have to learn daily to live with what I have – VITILIGO. http://www.vitfriends.com
Ali Irshad | Jul 4, 2008 | Reply
Vitiligo is no so dangerous and painic except the vitiligo patient has to suffer immense stress due to there apperence and almost in all society treated as inferior person. and as the statiscts by http://www.antivitiligo.com/ shows that about 500 to 600 lacs people currently suffering from this skin condtion.
Dustine Kim | Aug 5, 2008 | Reply
thankk you so much for the information. It really help me, It does.
Valarie | Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
Yes, STRESS is the biggest deal. http://www.vitfriends.com
Picos | Aug 21, 2008 | Reply
Vitiligo ciddiye alınması gereken bir deri hastalığı. Eğer dikkat edilmezse kansere bile yol açabilir.
Turkishboy | Aug 21, 2008 | Reply
Vitiligo tedavisi için önerilen bir sürü ilaç var. İstanbul Bahçelievler’de bir eczane var. Sahibi Cengiz Bey limon kokulu bir krem hazırlıyor ve bunu güneşli yaz günlerinde sürüyorsun. Ben kullandım ve faydasını gördüm.
eddiego65 | Aug 23, 2008 | Reply
Very informative article.
tonisan60 | Aug 27, 2008 | Reply
I know a man that has it, my applauses for your article
bully | Aug 31, 2008 | Reply
In some cases, medical treatment for vitiligo may not be necessary. Self-care steps, such as using sunscreen and applying cosmetic camouflage cream, may improve the appearance of your skin. For fair-skinned individuals, avoiding tanning can make the areas almost unnoticeable.
wulmin | Aug 31, 2008 | Reply
My vitiligo is concentrated on my thigh. It has a tendency to lighten various parts of my entire body, however, through nutrition and supplemental treatments directly to my skin, I have kept the spreading under control. Since adding Anti-Vitiligo to my regimen, I am getting close to my goal of being normal.
drobjnicak | Aug 31, 2008 | Reply
In Vitiligo, the special skin cells (melanocytes) as well as the tissues (mucous membranes) that line the inside of the mouth, nose, genital and rectal areas, and the retina of the eyes are destroyed. As a result, white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. The hair may also turn white that grows in areas affected by vitiligo.
depitak | Aug 31, 2008 | Reply
White patches (depigmentation) on the skin are the foremost symbol of vitiligo. These patches are more common in sun-exposed areas, including the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Other common areas are the armpits and groin, and around the mouth, eyes, nostrils, navel, and genitals.
lachika | Aug 31, 2008 | Reply
Vitiligo deride renk kaybına uğramış beyaz plaklarla seyreden kronik, genelde ilerleyici kozmetik problem oluşturan bir deri hastalığıdır.Vitiligo alanlarında deri beyaz görünürken çevresindeki bölgeler normal renktedir ve bu bölgelerde cilde rengini veren melanositlerdeki hasar nedeniyle tüyler ve kıllardada beyazlık görülür.Renk kaybı olan bölgeler çeşitli büyüklüklerde ve değişik sınır yapıları içerebilirler.Kimi zaman bir nokta kadar küçükken,kimi zaman el ayası kadar büyük ve hatta tüm deri
nicolita | Aug 31, 2008 | Reply
Unfortunately there is not currently any form of Vitiligo Cure. The condition is Chronic however treatments can assist in controlling the spread and intensity of the disease.
parduse | Aug 31, 2008 | Reply
Despite the fact that Vitiligo cannot be cured, there are a number of treatments that can help to slow and even reverse the process. It must be understood though that the reversal of Vitiligo may not be permanent as the disorder can return at any time.
dr. no | Sep 16, 2008 | Reply
“However, they are not mentally good enough.”
Nope. Fail.
The causes of vitiligo are still unknown, and seeing how individuals with the condition run the full mental health spectrum.
Also, being sensitive about vitiligo certainly doesn’t mean that one has contracted a “mental illness”, just that one is a little overly sensitive about their outward appearance.
nothando magwaza | Oct 3, 2008 | Reply
Hi there,
My name is Nothando Magwaza, from South Africa.My mother sufferes from vitiligo, people in my community there are not well informed with regards to this illness. Some people have a belief that this illness ids only for the Indian community since it’s common to them in my society. Most people they do not even eat when my mother cooks.I must say i have learnt so much with regards to the illness. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you.
Warm regards,
Nothandon email address (nozo@webmail.co.za)
26 years having veritiligo and scared to date | Oct 17, 2008 | Reply
i am 26 years lady having this problem and there is guy who is interested in me.I dont want to date because i have to explain to every one what is it and why i am getting it(if there is any reason).
Lots of people do not understand,.
Even when i am taking a shower with friends,everyone will pay antention to my thighs and be suprised.
So i am very shy now
Debbie | Nov 1, 2008 | Reply
I found out I had vitiligo about 6 months ago. I am taking the ultraviolet treatments and don’t really see any improvement. It is on my face, arms, hands, chest, back and neck. I feel so embrassed with this especially since it appeared on my face just a couple of days ago. I use to enjoy getting my picture made with my granddaughter but now I feel I look terrible. I know it could be worse. I have an expensive ointment the dermatologist gave me but I cannot see any difference in the past 6 months.
Nayer khanam | Dec 21, 2008 | Reply
here is a official site for anti vitiligo oil.
http://www.antivitiligooil.com
www.murderfeed.com | Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
Ive seen this before and know somewhat about it. I dont find vitiligo disturbing or odd. On some women, I find it atractive. Call me weird I guess.
Ahmed | Feb 24, 2009 | Reply
Fine post about vitiligo. it is very strange skin condition for which you can not ask with hundred percent confidence about a patient that, what are the reason by which he is suffering from this skin condition. Most of the people spent a lot of money in different treatment procedures for vitiligo cure but real thing about vitiligo is that it is non curable skin condition. as indictated by vitilgo guide that you can only manage your skin spots but could not cure them on http://www.vitiligoguide.com/
Darcel | Mar 15, 2009 | Reply
I heard that the king of pop “Michael Jackson” have vitiligo and had to change his nice brown skin to white but i think the brown skin fit him better.
suhail | Apr 29, 2009 | Reply
Is this also called white leprosy.
dree | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
Today’s the world is returning towards natural way of curing due to the harmful effects of today’s chemical & synthetic medicines. People are deeply worried on this issue and also insisting to use natural way of curing to get health & security.
Our vitiligo cure process is 100% Natural / herbal.
http://www.supercareproducts.com
JUJU | May 2, 2009 | Reply
I have suffered for many years with Vitiligo. I cannot get used to having it. It causes me much grief. I have tried all types of treatment, and the last was the PUVA lights. I think this may have stopped the spread of Vitiligo, but that means I have to stay spotted, especially on my face. I read a comment here about Michael Jackson looked better with his Brown skin. Well, of course he did, so did I. But now, I sure would like to be one color, and if that color is white, then so be it. But as life will have it I must walk around with this spotted skin. It hurts me so very badly. Some people can embrace their disease. I cannot. I don’t want to go out, I cannot go to church, I don’t want to meet people. I do go out, but only when totally necesssary. I have my daughter do all my outside errands. This lessens my outings, and lessens my chances of being hurt.
dree | May 11, 2009 | Reply
Today’s the world is returning towards natural way of curing due to the harmful effects of today’s chemical & synthetic medicines. People are deeply worried on this issue and also insisting to use natural way of curing to get health & security.
Our vitiligo cure process is 100% Natural / herbal.
http://www.supercareproducts.com
Tina | May 13, 2009 | Reply
I discovered some two years ago that I was beginning to develop some white spots on my thigh but I did not pay much attention to it. This undesease to me kept increasing. So two weeks ago, I decided to see a doctor about it. The doctor old me that the disease is called vitiligo. Not having an idea of what it is all about, Idecided to google the internet and behold I realised that there are many people who are suffereing form this same illness. Iwant to thank you for giving the definition of the is illness and its cause. I noww know that there is no cure as yet but I will keep on working on how to reverse it atleast. Thank you once more and may God bless you.
fredzena | May 18, 2009 | Reply
Despite some less than stellar English this article tells me that this skin condition like many others is caused and/or exacerbated by stress. Our skin is our largest sensory organ and mental stress and likely enviornmental ones as well can wreak havoc upon it. Thank you for enlightening me about this condition. I’ve seen people with skin like this and never knew what it was till now.
madison | Jun 26, 2009 | Reply
awwwwwwwwwwwwwww im so sad Michael Jackson had vitiligo but he died i loved his music
MJ_Angel | Jul 10, 2009 | Reply
this desease is the one attacking MICHAEL JACKSON.. … It is really true that there is is no medical treatment.
edward patterson | Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
micheal jackson had it he got plastic surgury for it but amagin having it and having to deal with it that would be amazing if u survived. micheal was lucky.
benjamin kiggundu | Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
lor forgive all those including me who had it in mind that mj had bleached him self to look like whites which isn’t correct coz now i know what cozed his skin color change
Lorna Gooding | Jul 21, 2009 | Reply
People I hate to blantly point this out to you but Michael Jackson himself said he had to do things to speed up the process of being one color. I don’t know the contents it took to make him white, but bleach could of been some form of process. There was a Oprah Winfrey show and recently a Tyra Banks show about some black people did not like their skin color (for whatever reason) and used bleach to bleach their skin. Some parents did this to their children because of the society being what it is today. I love MJ. I am a white person and I am ashamed of my race because of the impact it has on racism. I trully hope we can come together as one someday. God bless you all
Rodallega | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
A Disease of 21th Century: Vitiligo
http://healthmad.com/conditions-and-diseases/a-disease-of-21th-century-vitiligo/
Resveratrol | Sep 6, 2009 | Reply
In Vitiligo, the special skin cells (melanocytes) as well as the tissues (mucous membranes) that line the inside of the mouth, nose, genital and rectal areas, and the retina of the eyes are destroyed. As a result, white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. The hair may also turn white that grows in areas affected by vitiligo.
vitiligo | Sep 14, 2009 | Reply
White patches or Vitiligo, in this the special skin cells (melanocytes) as well as the tissues (mucous membranes) that line the inside of the mouth, nose, genital and rectal areas, and the retina of the eyes are destroyed. White patches of skin emerge on various parts of the body.
Vitiligo is a skin disease that also causes loss of pigment, that results in white patches of skin. Also white patches on the skin are the primary symbol of the vitiligo. Generally white patches are more commonly appeared in sun-exposed areas. Some common areas affected by white patches are the armpits and groin, and around the mouth, eyes, and genitals.
Actually vitiligo appears when the melanocytes die or not function properly.
Some natural home remedy for white patches treatment on skin is quite effective. Given below are some best white patches cure home remedies. Read on for home remedy for white skin patches:
First remedy is, a paste made from the radish seeds is very useful in treating leucoderma.. Apply this paste directly on the white skin patches.
For Treating white patches, Goosefoot vegetable is considered very valuable.. Also, consume this vegetable two times in a day, for about 2 months.
Home remedies for Leucoderma from turmeric and mustard oil
thalia | Sep 14, 2009 | Reply
The cause of vitiligo is not known, but doctors and researchers have several different theories. One theory is that people develop antibodies that destroy the melanocytes in their own bodies. Another theory is that melanocytes destroy themselves. Finally, some people have reported that a single event such as sunburn or emotional distress triggered vitiligo; however, these events have not been scientifically proven to cause vitiligo.
About 1 to 2 percent of the world’s population, or 40 to 50 million people, have vitiligo. In the United States, 2 to 5 million people have the disorder. Ninety-five percent of people who have vitiligo develop it before their 40th birthday. The disorder affects individuals of all ethnic origins and both sexes. Loss of pigment most commonly is noted first on the hands, feet, arms, face or lips. Frequently this disease is progressive.
The primary goal of therapy is to restore the skin’s color by restoring melanocytes to the skin. Repigmentation of the skin with melanocytes allows the skin to regain its normal immune/inflammatory functions and improves the appearance of those suffering from this disease.
jacques pela | Sep 15, 2009 | Reply
Vitiligo is a suspected autoimmune disease. It is a type of skin disorder which causes depigmentation of the skin. The skin turns visibly patchy and is most prominent on the face, hands and wrist. The basic symptom is the depigmentation of the skin and skin lesions. Vitiligo is also known to have an affect on the mental health of the person suffering from it. It is treated according to the area it has affected and the severity of the disorder. In mild cases, it is possible to hide it using make up and avoiding sun exposure. For more serious cases, phototherapy is a very common approach. Skin creams are also prescribed by the doctors to control and treat vitiligo. There is also an option of a surgery that helps treat vitiligo. It was first performed in 2004 and is now practiced widely.
equalizer | Sep 15, 2009 | Reply
This too is quite a common skin condition affecting about 1 to 2 percent of the people all over the world. It generally shows up as white spots or patches of skin. It is caused because vitiligo destroys the cells that produce the pigment of the skin. Although it is still not known what exactly causes vitiligo, however, it seems to occur more commonly in people with certain kinds of autoimmune diseases such as hyperthyroidism, pernicious anemia, and adrenocortical insufficiency, alopecia areata. Any kind of stress that affects the immune system may also lead to vitiligo. Sometimes, a mild trauma to some part of the skin may cause new patches of skin, such as the ankles due to being rubbed with footwear. Vitiligo also often runs in families, so there may be a hereditary factor too. There are various methods of treating vitiligo such as photo therapy, skin grafting (especially at the early stages), steroid creams, psoralen photochemotherapy, depigmentation treatment, immunodulator creams used with UVB Narrowband treatments, laser treatment, and so on.
white patch | Sep 15, 2009 | Reply
Vitiligo is a skin condition affecting the body’s production of melanin in the skin, which causes white patches of skin on the body. There is no known cure for vitiligo, but the symptoms may be treated using various methods.
One treatment for vitiligo involves photo therapy, or treatment using light. With this method, ultraviolet rays are used to stimulate the body’s melanocytes, which are the cells that produce melanin.
Another treatment involves grafting healthy skin into the areas of skin affected by vitiligo. Hopefully, the melanocytes in the healthy skin will begin producing melanin an obscure the pale spots of skin.
Herbal treatments have been used for centuries for treating vitiligo. Herbal treatments general involve a comprehensive treatment not only of the symptoms, but of suspected underlying causes. For example, a typical Chinese herbal treatment would address the symptoms of vitiligo with a topical, but it would also attempt to address underlying causes, such as the immune system, digestive system, liver, kidneys, and chi.
Homeopathic treatments are also used for vitiligo. Like herbal treatments, they attempt to address underlying causes, not just the symptoms.
One of the newest treatments for vitiligo is laser treatment therapy. Just like photo therapy, it uses ultraviolet rays to stimulate the melanocytes in your skin. Unlike photo therapy, however, it focuses the light using a laser, so it promises to be more effective and causes fewer side effects.
tersiyer | Sep 16, 2009 | Reply
Vitiligo is a common pigmentary disorder of the skin with selective
destruction of melanocytes. The pathogenetic mechanisms in vitiligo have not
been completely clarified. The aim of our investigation was to evaluate the
oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of generalized vitiligo. Twenty-seven
patients with generalized vitiligo and 24 phototype-, age-, and sex-matched
healthy controls were included in this study. We analysed serum levels of
malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and serum activities of superoxide
dismutase (SOD) and xanthine oxidase (XO) in the patients with vitiligo and in
the controls. We found significantly higher levels of MDA and XO activity (P <
0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively), and a significantly lower level of serum SOD
activity (P 0.05).
These results suggest that lipid peroxidation of cellular membrane of
melanocytes by free radicals may have a significant role in the pathogenesis of
generalized vitiligo.
therician | Sep 16, 2009 | Reply
Both vitamin B12 and folic acid have been found to be deficient in individuals with vitiligo. The relationship between these nutrients and the development and treatment of vitiligo are unclear, though many hypotheses exist. Vitiligo is associated with autoimmune diseases and pernicious anemia. However, in pernicious anemia there is a decreased absorption of Vitamin B12. This may be a causal relationship.
In a study of 100 patients with vitiligo, supplementation with B12 and folic acid, concurrent with sun exposure, caused a repigmentation in 52% of the cases. Six patients had complete repigmentation. The spreading of lesions was ceased entirely in 64% of the patients. Results were more significant when there was an inclusion of UVA exposure. In another study, folic acid and B12 status was measured in individuals with vitiligo and was found to be lower than normal subjects. Supplementation with both B12 and folic acid in this group also resulted in repigmentation.
Jane | Sep 30, 2009 | Reply
This guy seems to have achieved a fair amount of repigmentation. His photo gallery is located at:
http://www.vitiligozone.com/Vitiligo-pictures/Repigmentation-gallery.html
Nombuso | Oct 9, 2009 | Reply
Hi there Njinji girl