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	Vitiligo case study (Double-click to enlarge)

Vitiligo What is Vitiligo? by Dr Rajesh Shah, MD


Brochure

Vitiligo is a disease of skin pigments called melanin. Rather, it is a disease where there is a loss of skin pigment or color. Vitiligo affects about 2% of world population and close to 8% of Indian and Mexican populations. Vitiligo is not a serious disease, medically speaking. It's social significance is more than medical importance, as it does not cause any major harm to the body.

In simple words, vitiligo is caused by one or two of the following processes:

1. Melanin cell destruction, leading to loss of color on skin

2. Defective process of melanin formation, hence, no skin color formation

There is no exact cause known for the above processes. There are some theories which are considered responsible for the above processes in vitiligo. The probable causes of vitiligo are explained elsewhere on this site. In brief, genetic and immunological factors are considered responsible for vitiligo.

(Click on photo to enlarge.)

Due to destruction of the melanin (pigment) cells due to lesser known processes (largely what is called as an auto-immune disorder) the normal skin starts loosing pigments from various parts of the skin, in a varying speed and extent. Our clinical experience based on the treatment of over 4500 cases, suggests that there is a strong genetic factor in the background of most cases, especially those who have extensive vitiligo or those who have vitiligo affecting the finger-tips, toes, lips or the genitals. The indication of strong genetic factor is observed in the form of family history of one or more of the auto-immune diseases such as vitiligo, alopecia areata, diabetes, under active thyroid, , cancer, rheumatoid arthritis or allergies.

The vitiligo sufferers are observed all over the world, including the white skin communities. However, epidemiologically most cases are recorded in India (8.8%) and Mexico. Estimated 1-2% of the Americans have vitiligo as per the survey made by the American Academy of Dermatology. Males and females are affected equally, inclusive of children age group. It may begin at any age. Childhood vitiligo is common. We have registered cases as young as three months old, to late onset vitiligo at the age of 80 years.

At Life Force, we have under our care practically most nationalities (from over 150 counties) with different skins (genetically speaking) presented to us with vitiligo; who have given us opportunity to understand this disease better.

In short, vitiligo is not as serious disease as it has been thought about.

Click here to check the factors which decided the chances of cure.