Vitiligo By: Bailey Hood

What is vitiligo? vit·i·li·go a condition in which the pigment is lost from areas of the skin, causing whitish patches, often with no clear cause.

Where does it occur and how does it affect you? Vitiligo affects the melanocytes in the epidermis which is what affects our skin color. Vitiligo only occurs when melanin cells die or stop functioning, which gives the skin a lighter color. This may be caused by your immune system attacking the melanocytes. It also could be caused by your family history or by stress such as sunburns or being around chemicals.

How can it present itself on your body? Non-segmental There are three types of vitiligo; non-segmental vitiligo, segmental vitiligo, and complete vitiligo. Non-segmental is when the patches appear assymetrical on you body such as hands, eyes, arms, feet, etc. Segmental is when it only covers you in random blotches. Complete vitiligo is the most rare type an it covers you completely changing your bodies color. Complete Vitiligo Segmental

The Side Effects Loss of pigment in skin Whitening hair on scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, beard, etc. Loss of pigment in the mouth or nose Loss or change of color in retina

Is there a cure? There is no definite cure to this disease but there are prescription ointments you can take to restore the pigmentation. There is also light therapy that can be used calle, PUVA. It has shown to be effective up to 85%.

Can you tan vitiligo tanned skin? Since vitiligo skin does not have any melanin in it, it can not tan. It will appear paler if you tan against the rest of the melanin in your skin.

Worst case scenario Since there are no deadly or truly harmful symptoms to this disease I would categorize complete vitiligo as being the worst case scenario.

The Facts Vitiligo begins to make its appearance at any age but typically before you twenties It happens to both men and women It only occurs to less than 1% of the population

Links https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjE6r2c4OrdAhVFMawKHUeGAnsQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DJ4u3MVuRQh8&psig=AOvVaw2CQu6nuj243bUfQtxPtx4H&ust=1538672458689341 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vitiligo/symptoms- causes/syc-20355912 https://www.mayoclinic.org/-/media/kcms/gbs/patient- consumer/images/2013/11/15/17/39/ds00586_-ds00912_-ds00964_- ds00121_im01947_sn7_skinlayersthu_jpg.jpg https://www.healthline.com/health/vitiligo-treatment