Causes and risk factors
The exact cause is not known but certain theories have been put forth. It is thought the melanocytes are destroyed by the immune system(Immune hopthesis )Certain neurochemicals inhibit the melanocyte productions and cause destruction of present melanocytes resulting in de pigmentation(Neurochemical hypothesis).It can be due to hereditary also.
Clinical presentation
The cardinal symptom of vitiligo is Depigmentation of skin. White patches can be seen where ever Melanocytes are present. The depigmentation can be localized of diffused all over the skin. Whitening or graying of hair can be seen. De pigmentation of the mucus membranes can also be seen .e.g.: on the inner side of the mouth. Vitiligo does not pose any life threatening complication. It can lead to low self esteem due to the depigmentation, sunburn and skin cancer.
Investigations
Diagnosis is done on the basis of the symptoms narrated by the patient and the physical examination carried out by the dermatologist. The light test is diagnostic.
In a person having vitiligo the skin is exposed to black light. The depigmented areas glow blue where as the normal skin areas do not show any changes.
Treatment
There is no specific cure for vitiligo. The treatment consists of medications. Corticosteroid creams or application of ointments on the depigmented skin is advised.PUVA (topical psoralen plus ultraviolet A) therapy is done. In this a thin coating of the psoralen is applied on the skin. After half an hour, the skin is exposed to UVA light, which turns the treated areas pink. Eventually, the patches start gaining color.
If extensive skin areas are involved, psoralen is given orally followed by exposure to UVA light. Other therapy which can be done are depigmentation therapy. Skin Camouflage is done where the vitiligo patches are very less than the patches can be covered with the help of the makeup or certain cosmetic procedures.
Other modes of treatment:
Certain other modes of treatment can also be helpful in coping up the symptom. Taking into consideration the symptoms in holistic way, homoeopathy can offer a good aid for the relief of the symptoms.
