If you are feeling any kind of color change in your skin, then pay attention to it immediately, because it can be a sign of 'vitiligo'. You must have seen many people whose skin starts turning white. It is called 'vitiligo' in medical language. Although this problem does not have any bad effect on the health of the person, but those who are unable to accept it, it troubles them mentally and emotionally to a great extent. In such a situation, why does vitiligo occur, and what should be done when it spreads, you need to know the answers to these questions.
What is this disease?
The white spots on the body are called vitiligo in medical language. Vitiligo is a condition in which the color of the skin starts getting lighter or turns white. Due to a weak immune system, the color-producing cells die. Autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disease or type 1 diabetes, also cause changes in skin color.
This problem is also seen due to excessive exposure of the skin to sunlight, stress, or chemicals. Apart from this, vitiligo can also have genetic causes. In this disease, the patient has white spots on almost all parts of the body, which are mostly seen on the legs, face, and hands. Vitiligo i.e. white spots is one of the skin-related diseases, which is caused by blood-related allergies, bad eating habits, and skin infection.
Identification of symptoms
The onset of vitiligo is common. It usually starts with itching in the body. After this, small or big white spots start appearing on different parts of the body. Usually, these spots do not cause any problems to the patient, but sometimes due to them, other people start fearing the patients suffering from this disease.
Such behavior of people causes stress and an inferiority complex in the patient, which harms him mentally. Fading of skin color is the main symptom of vitiligo. Apart from this, in many cases, changing the color of the tissue inside the mouth, white spots on the neck, white spots on the back, and fading of the color of the inner layer of the retina of the eyes can also be symptoms.
Melanocytes are the main reason
There are many reasons for white spots on the skin. Experts say that white spots on the skin are formed when the colour producing cells (melanocytes) in a person's body stop working. These cells provide color to our hair, skin, lips, etc., which makes our personality shine.
Early treatment is important
In this case, Dr. Seema Rani, Professor, Department of Dermatology, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi says that vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder. In 10 to 20 percent of cases, this disease is familial. This disease affects only the skin. It may also be associated with other autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid, anemia, etc. Other etiological factors, such as certain allergens, especially cosmetics, hair dyes, coloring agents, and glues can destroy the melanin pigment in the skin, leading to the development of vitiligo-like lesions or chemical leucoderma. Some factors cause proliferation, including nutritional deficiencies, especially vitamin B12, and vitamin D, anemia, itching, etc. In some cases, stress is also a cause. In these cases, both medications and surgery can be done and early treatment gives better results.
(PC: Freepik)
