If you notice the development of light skin patches in your complexion, you could be displaying symptoms of vitiligo. Vitiligo is a skin disorder in which the cells responsible for making pigment in the skin are destroyed causing the skin to gradually lose its color.
Doctors are not sure of the exact cause of vitiligo, but there are several theories surrounding the condition. According to the article, Vitiligo, one theory is that vitiligo is the result of an autoimmune disease which causes the body to destroy the cells that make pigment. There is also some indication that vitiligo is genetic as it tends to run in families. Even so, vitiligo is a rare condition affecting less than one percent of the population.
Symptoms of Vitiligo. The main symptoms of vitiligo are the light or white patches that develop on the skin throughout various locations of the body, beginning with areas that receive the most sun exposure. Other symptoms of vitiligo include changes in eye color and changes in the coloring inside the mouth. Some people with vitiligo lose the coloring in their hair; it changes prematurely from its natural color to a pale white or gray color. The eyebrows and eyelashes may also turn white. The symptoms of vitiligo cause embarrassment for most of the people afflicted with the condition. However, there is treatment to help cope with these unpleasant symptoms.
Treatment for Vitiligo. The main medical treatment for vitiligo is corticosteroid therapy. This is a topical treatment applied to the skin designed to help return pigmentation. It usually takes several months before changes in skin color are noticeable. Although corticosteroid is an easy and effective form of treatment, patients must remain under close supervision of their doctors due to possible side-effects, such as the thinning of the skin. Another treatment for vitiligo is the removal of the remaining skin pigment, which causes the skin to be uniformly white or light. This could be uncomfortable for people who have naturally dark skin, but it does give a balanced complexion, as opposed to light and dark patchy skin.
Natural Treatment for Vitiligo. Many people with vitiligo are able to avoid medical treatment. They are able to cope with the symptoms of their condition by using camouflaging makeup creams on the face and neck areas, and dressing in a manner which limit’s the visibility of their skin. Limited research on alternative medicine indicates that the Chinese herb, ginkgo biloba, may be worth trying as a natural treatment. Additionally, some people have experienced skin improvement with a natural remedy made from a mixture of coconut oil, black cumin, barberry root, and psoralea corylifolia (a plant used in Indian and Chinese medicine).
If you are displaying symptoms of vitiligo, visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis, and to discuss your treatment options.
Sources
Vitiligo, Medicine Net
Vitiligo, Mayo Clinic
