What is vitiligo and whether you can get rid of it

What is vitiligo

So we call diseaseVitiligoIn which the skin on some parts of the body loses its pigmentation - become white.

Vitiligo can affect any part of the body, but most often appears on those sites, which more than any other exposed to sunlight: the face, the fingers, the outside of the palm of your hand, arms, legs, shoulders, neck. Hair, eyebrows, eyelashes is also a concern: they turn gray.

according to statistics,Vitiligo and Loss of Skin Color, Suffering from vitiligo 2 people out of every 100 worldwide.

"Spotted" pigmentation loss - the state is not innate: it often manifests itself between the ages of 10 to 30 years. Spots may occur in people of any skin type. How many of them will be the speed with which they are multiplied, it is impossible to predict.

Is it dangerous to vitiligo

Not. It is recognized more by the Romans, who gave the disease its name: the Latin root vitium means only "flaw" "flaw". Modern medicine confirms that this condition is not dangerous for health and is not contagious.

However, some potentially affecting the health disadvantages of vitiligo is still there.

1. psychological distress

A person who suffers from vitiligo, often experiences lack of confidence, a sense of social rejection, suffering from low self-esteem.

2. Increased risk of sunburn

The bright spot - is, in fact, the skin areas that have lost pigment melanin. It is responsible not only for the color. In fact, it is a tool by which the body is protected from the deadly ultraviolet radiation for it.

Melanin around creates a barrier of skin cells, diffusing dangerous UVB-rays. If the pigment little or not available, the cells become vulnerable and under the influence of the sun can easily mutate. Thus skin burns faster, and in addition, increases the risk of developing melanoma.

3. Possible related autoimmune disorders

There are suggestions that vitiligo - is a kind of autoimmune disease. Therefore, for stains no harm will be checked for the presence of other autoimmune disorders: diabetes, diseases thyroid gland, Addison's disease, and others. Does not the fact that they show up. However, consult with your doctor on this subject still stands.

Where does vitiligo

Why skin cells in certain areas of the body suddenly lose melanin, the science is not known for certainVitiligo. It is considered the most likely three reasons:

• Autoimmune. Perhaps vitiligo - a reaction the immune systemBut instead of microbes it attacks the body's own cells, destroying melanocytes - those that produce the pigment melanin.
• Genetic. Vitiligo often suffer members of one family, so that scientists tend to associate the disease with heredity.
• Traumatic. Sometimes the development of this disorder is triggered by solar or chemical burns. Also, there are cases where the formation of depigmented areas associated with weathered severe stress.

How to adjust and treat vitiligo

Unfortunately, recover lost melanocytes can not always. However, it's worth a try. And we must start with a visit to a dermatologist.

Medical consultation is required. It is necessary to rule out other skin diseases and to assess the overall condition of the body.

Natalya Kozlova, head of the department dermatovenereological

The doctor will examineVitiligo patient, look into medical history, ask about your family history and lifestyle. This is usually sufficient to make the diagnosis. In some cases, you will have a blood test - it is important that the physician can verify the absence of autoimmune diseases.

Further, depending on the number and size of vitiligo dermatologist will offer options for correction.

Medical camouflage

If the spots are small and a little bit, you can disguise them with special medical camouflage. This is a good option for young children who are still too early to take some medication. There is only flaw method time consuming, constantly have to be painted.

Creams and ointments

Hormonal drugs can help restore color. Best of all they are in the early stages of the disease.

If you hit no more than 20% of the skin, are appointed by the glucocorticosteroid ointments and creams. After six months, if the treatment has no effect, it is corrected.

Natalya Kozlova, head of the department dermatovenereological

therapeutic procedures

According to Natalia Kozlova, there are several options therapeutic treatment: narrowband UV therapy, selective phototherapy, laser light, monochromatic exposure light. They are used if the ointments and creams have not helped or disease is widely spread throughout the body.

Surgery

Transplant donor skin areas is also possible. The surgeon takes a small part of a healthy epidermis and place on the sore spot. This procedure is used on small areas of the body.

How to prevent vitiligo

Guaranteed ways to protect yourself from vitiligo is not. But you can reduce the risks. Proceed as follows:

• Use sunscreen even in the winter. Choose tools with an SPF of at least 30. Apply them on exposed skin every 2 hours while you are on the street.
• Do not go to the solarium, and if left on a sunny resort, follow the rules of the competent Sun.
• Take care of your skin. Try to avoid scratches or other damage. And, of course, give up tattoos and piercings.