Are you worried about catching vitiligo from someone with the disease? Or are you looking for information on how to treat a loved one with vitiligo but concerned about your own risk of developing the condition if you provide care or get too close? Perhaps you’re wondering what your child’s chances are of inheriting this skin condition.
Vitiligo is a long-term autoimmune disorder that causes depigmentation in patches all over the body. The loss of pigment, also known as hyperpigmentation, usually begins between 10 and 30 and continues into adulthood. It affects people worldwide regardless of ethnicity or gender — although research shows it may affect slightly more women than men. It’s estimated that about one to two percent of the world’s population has some form of vitiligo.
Vitiligo is not dangerous or contagious. It does have a genuine impact on the everyday lives of afflicted individuals, however, who may feel embarrassed by the appearance of their skin and avoid social interactions. The emotional burden can be so heavy that many people develop anxiety disorders and depression.
Tare several hypotheses. One hypothesis suggests that when melanocytes — pigment-producing cells in the skin — die off, they release natural killer cells which attack healthy nearby melanocytes and cause them to die as well, resulting in patches of lighter pigmentation. Researchers think this happens because the immune system mistakes melanin for a foreign threat and tries to eliminate it.
Another hypothesis is that melanocytes destroy themselves due to increased stress hormones (which inhibit pigment production) or ultraviolet radiation from sunlight.
There’s also evidence that autoimmunity plays a role. Autoimmune diseases happen when your body’s immune system, which generally protects you from invaders such as viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks healthy cells in your own body. In vitiligo, the immune system seems to attack parts of the skin where melanocytes are concentrated, breaking down their ability to produce pigment. It could be triggered by some environmental factor or infectious disease, particularly one that triggers an autoimmune response, but this hasn’t been proven.
Vitiligo is not a genetic condition, so it’s not passed down from family to children and grandchildren. However, because genes play a role in determining who gets the disease, there are some known risk factors. If you have an immediate family member with vitiligo or another autoimmune disorder, you have a slightly greater risk of developing it yourself. One recent study of identical twins showed that if one twin had vitiligo, the other had about 18 times greater chance of developing the condition than members of the general population. Researchers believe this may be because genes predispose people to autoimmunity, and both twins would inherit those same predisposing genes.
Vitiligo is not contagious. You can’t catch it from someone or pass it on to another person. Suppose you have a genetic predisposition and some triggers, such as a skin injury. In that case, you may develop vitiligo, but other people will not be affected simply by being in contact with you.
If someone in your family has vitiligo, caring for them can be emotionally challenging because society’s limited understanding of the disease. But there are ways to protect yourself against adverse emotional effects and reduce stress during caregiving. For example, trying to build self-esteem unrelated to appearance may help combat feelings of low self-worth that come with having this condition. And learning how to handle stressful social situations caused by vitiligo can help lower your risk of depression and anxiety, so don’t be afraid to reach out for support.
Although vitiligo isn’t contagious or dangerous, it can substantially affect day-to-day life by limiting an individual’s ability to enjoy the sun and participate in outdoor activities during peak daylight hours. Some sufferers also report social interactions that stem from fear of rejection because of their skin condition. Because these feelings are often connected to concerns about appearance and body image, counselling may be helpful for some people with vitiligo.
Treatments can be divided into these categories:Â
1) Camouflaging: using cosmetics to hide the white patches
2) Repigmentation treatments
3) Immune therapies
4) Research on skin melanocytes-based therapies
5) Psychological support
6). Diagnosis and treatment for secondary complications
7). Education of the patient and their family
8). Vitiligo: Genetic, Autoimmune, or allergic.
Vitiligo treatment can include topical skin creams for repigmentation, phototherapy treatments to destroy remaining pigment cells in the skin, and transplanting healthy melanocytes into depigmented areas of the skin. Skin grafts onto vitiligo patches and transplanted autologous melanocyte suspensions may give excellent results with extensive involvement or smaller lesions that are not suitable for directly applying melanocytes.
Do 1) Wear sunscreen when outdoors. And remember that many medications cause photosensitivity, so be extra careful to protect yourself from the sun while being treated with these medications
2). Focus on your positive attributes instead of dwelling on skin color changes
3). Wearing brightly colored clothing can help some people feel more confident and comfortable, especially in social situations
4). Ask for support from family members and friends
5) Be optimistic and know that you can still lead an active, productive life despite vitiligo
Don’t: 1) Don’t stay all the time indoors before it gets dark. Try to go outside or at least open windows for some fresh air during the day.
2) Avoid stress if possible as this may worsen vitiligo symptoms.
3) Don’t try to hide your skin condition from the public. You can find support in the process of coming out.
4) Avoid tanning beds and other artificial sources of ultraviolet light.
5) Don’t buy into myths about vitiligo, such as it being contagious or that it is a form of leprosy.
As per the latest research, it has been found out that homeopathy is an effective model for treating the loss of pigment cells in the skin. We shall suggest you book an appointment through OHO Homeopathy for more information.
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