Vitiligo causes white patches on the skin, and can also affect the eyes, mouth and nose. It happens when the cells that give skin its colour are destroyed; nobody knows what destroys them.
Who gets it
- It is more common in people with autoimmune diseases.
- It may run in families.
- It usually starts before age 40.
What happens
- The patches are more common on skin exposed to the sun.
- Sometimes they spread.
- Hair may turn grey early.
- People with dark skin may lose colour inside the mouth.
Managing it
- Sunscreen helps protect the skin, and cosmetics can cover the patches.
- Treatments include medicines, light therapy and surgery.
Not every treatment suits everyone: many have side effects, some take a long time, and some don't always work.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Vitiligo," from the NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://medlineplus.gov/vitiligo.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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