This will fundamentally change the way you look at vitiligo overview
For millions of people who suffer from vitiligo, a disease in which patients experience a complete loss of pigment in localized areas of the skin, this feeling is one they know all too well. In a new study by dermatologist Henry W. Lim, MD, chairman of the department of dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Mich., the effectiveness of narrow-band UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy as a treatment for vitiligo was examined in a small sampling of patients. The results of the study are promising for this often hard-to-treat skin condition. After completing an average of 19 treatments with NB-UVB phototherapy, five of the seven vitiligo patients that participated in the study showed greater than 75 per cent repigmentation. Additionally, one patient has remained pigmented 11 months after phototherapy was discontinued. "The successful repigmentation that these patients experienced is quite remarkable, "Vitiligo is a difficult skin condition to treat, and patients are often frustrated because results from some of the other current treatments are not nearly as favourable."
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Vitiligo (vit-ill-EYE-go) is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin, the mucous membranes (tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose and genital and rectal areas), and the retina (inner layer of the eyeball) are destroyed. As a result, white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. The hair that grows in areas affected by Vitiligo usually turns white. There is no oil, herb, vitamin or moisturizer that has any proven beneficial result for Vitiligo. The closest natural "remedy" is celery as it contains psoralens that increase the skin's natural reaction to sunlight.
Vitiligo is a relatively common skin condition that can cause extreme distress to sufferers because of its obviously unusual appearance. It affects at least 1-2% of the population or 1-2 in every 100 people in nearly every country in the world. It affects people of both sexes equally, and it affects all races. It can begin at any age, however, about fifty per cent of people with vitiligo develop it before the age of twenty-five. You cannot catch Vitiligo. It is not infectious or contagious. Currently, there is no absolute cure for Vitiligo but there are several treatments.
Vitiligo, like psoriasis, is thought to be hereditary. Even if your immediate parents or grandparents do not have Vitiligo, they may have had another genetic issue that is loosely associated with Vitiligo, such as thyroid problems diabetes etc.
The actual cause of Vitiligo is not known, but doctors and researchers have several different theories. One theory is that people develop antibodies that destroy the melanocytes in their own bodies. Another theory is that melanocytes destroy themselves. Finally, some people have reported that a single event such as sunburn or emotional distress triggered vitiligo; however, these events have not been scientifically proven to cause Vitiligo
->Vitiligo treatments and cures
The treatment options for Vitiligo have some similarities with psoriasis. Steroids can be used to stimulate the skin to produce the missing or deficient melanocytes thus darkening the white skin patches. Steroids have many dangerous side effects and are typically only a temporary treatment. Stop using the steroids and Vitiligo usually returns soon after. There is a process known as "depigmentation" that is really a backwards treatment. It involves using steroids or other agents to lighten your normal skin to match the colour of your Vitiligo affected skin. Obviously, this could be more embarrassing than Vitiligo by itself. There is a range of cosmetic options to hide or mask the white patches but this only offers a psychological solution and is only very temporary. In extreme cases, surgery can be used to graft skin from a patients back-side or back to cover the white Vitiligo patches.
->What are the implications of the lack of knowledge about vitiligo?
This explores the knowledge society has of the condition, and the repercussions any false views may project on to the individual. A lack of knowledge may also be seen when looking at the medical field, as they class vitiligo as a cosmetic disorder. Therefore, it is important to explore the role of doctors as a source of information and help.
The dissertation adopts a broad scope since this type of literature is necessary when approaching a gap of knowledge. The aim is therefore to generate information that captures the experience of living with vitiligo. This approach assumes the condition carries a stigma because it is an attribute that categorises an individual as different, which will be further explored in the literature review.
->Who Is Affected by Vitiligo?
About 1 to 2 percent of the world's population, or 40 to 50 million people, have vitiligo. In the United States, 2 to 5 million people have the disorder. Ninety-five per cent of people who have vitiligo develop it before their 40th birthday. The disorder affects all races and both sexes equally.
Vitiligo seems to be more common in people with certain autoimmune diseases (diseases in which a person's immune system reacts against the body's own organs or tissues). These autoimmune diseases include hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), adrenocortical insufficiency (the adrenal gland does not produce enough of the hormone called corticosteroid), alopecia areata (patches of baldness), and pernicious anaemia (a low level of red blood cells caused by failure of the body to absorb vitamin B12). Scientists do not know the reason for the association between vitiligo and these autoimmune diseases. However, most people with vitiligo have no other autoimmune disease.
Vitiligo may also be hereditary, that is, it can run in families. Children whose parents have the disorder are more likely to develop vitiligo. However, most children will not get vitiligo even if a parent has it, and most people with vitiligo do not have a family history of the disorder
->What Are the Symptoms of Vitiligo?
People who develop vitiligo usually first notice white patches (depigmentation) on their skin. These patches are more common in sun-exposed areas, including the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Other common areas for white patches to appear are the armpits and groin and around the mouth, eyes, nostrils, navel, and genitals.
Vitiligo generally appears in one of three patterns. In one pattern (focal pattern), the depigmentation is limited to one or only a few areas. Some people develop depigmented patches on only one side of their bodies (segmental pattern). But for most people who have vitiligo, depigmentation occurs on different parts of the body (generalized pattern). In addition to white patches on the skin, people with vitiligo may have premature graying of the scalp hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, and beard. People with dark skin may notice a loss of color inside their mouths.
->Will the Depigmented Patches Spread?
There is no way to predict if vitiligo will spread. For some people, the depigmented patches do not spread. The disorder is usually progressive however, and over time the white patches will spread to other areas of the body. For some people, vitiligo spreads slowly, over many years. For other people, spreading occurs rapidly. Some people have reported additional depigmentation following periods of physical or emotional stress.
->How Can People Cope With the Emotional and Psychological Aspects of Vitiligo?
The change in appearance caused by vitiligo can affect a person's emotional and psychological well-being and may create difficulty getting or keeping a job. People with this disorder can experience emotional stress, particularly if vitiligo develops on visible areas of the body such as the face, hands, arms, feet, or on the genitals. Adolescents, who are often particularly concerned about their appearance, can be devastated by widespread vitiligo. Some people who have vitiligo feel embarrassed, ashamed, depressed, or worried about how others will react.
Several strategies can help a person cope with vitiligo. First, it is important to find a doctor who is knowledgeable about vitiligo and takes the disorder seriously. The doctor should also be a good listener and be able to provide emotional support. Patients need to let their doctors know if they are feeling depressed because doctors and other mental health professionals can help people deal with depression. Patients should also learn as much as possible about the disorder and treatment choices so that they can participate in making important decisions about medical care.
Talking with other people who have vitiligo may also help a person cope. The National Vitiligo Foundation can provide information about vitiligo and refer people to local chapters that have support groups of patients, families, and physicians. Family and friends are another source of support.
Some people with vitiligo have found that cosmetics that cover the white patches improve their appearance and help them feel better about themselves. A person may need to experiment with several brands of concealing cosmetics before finding the product that works best.
->What Treatment Options Are Available?
The goal of treating vitiligo is to restore the function of the skin and to improve the patient's appearance. Therapy for vitiligo takes a long time--it usually must be continued for 6 to 18 months. The choice of therapy depends on the number of white patches how widespread they are and on the patient’s preference for treatment. Each patient responds differently to therapy and a particular treatment may not work for everyone.
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