Does vitiligo appear suddenly?

Skin is the largest organ in the body, which acts as a shield that protects our body from external environments. It has a significant role in maintaining life and health. It is an airtight, watertight, and a flexible barrier between the outside world and the systems within the body. 

Skin also helps in temperature regulation, immune defense, vitamin production, and sensation. However, there are hundreds of disorders that can affect the skin. Any change in the hormones, medical conditions, genetic predisposition of skin type can influence the well being of the skin. Vitiligo is such a disorder that affects the skin.

What Is Vitiligo?

Our skin is made up of three layers - A thin outer layer called the epidermis, a thicker middle layer called the dermis, and the inner layer called the hypodermis. The outer layer of the skin is called Keratinocytes.

Melanocytes are the color-producing cells, known as Melanin, the pigment that determines the color of the skin, eyes, and hair. When the skin loses these color-producing cells, patches will appear on the skin and become white. This condition is known as vitiligo. These whites are more noticeable in people with darker skin. 

Does vitiligo start suddenly?

Vitiligo does not have any specific time or moment for its appearance. Vitiligo can start at any time and any age in both men and women. It occurs in all skin types and with equal frequencies. Most people will develop the condition at a younger age, say less than 30. 

The exact cause of vitiligo is unknown — conditions such as immune system disorder. Hereditary factors, single events such as sunburn or emotional distress, etc. contribute to the development of vitiligo. People with certain autoimmune diseases such as thyroid dysfunction are prone to get vitiligo. 

What happens in vitiligo?

When Melanocytes are destroyed, white patches of various sizes will appear on the skin in different parts of the body. It can also appear on the mucous membranes (tissues that line in the inside of the mouth and nose) and the retina (inner layer of the eyeball). In some cases, the hairs that grow on the vitiligo affected areas become white. 

Is it possible to manage vitiligo? 

Treatment options for vitiligo include medical, surgical, and other treatments, depending on the number and density of white patches. The objective of these treatments is to restore the color to the white patches of skin.

Medical treatments include:

• Over the counter medicines that you put on the skin
• Medicines that you take by mouth
• A combination of Medicine plus ultraviolet (UVA) light 
• Sunscreens and cosmetics to cover the white patches
• Phototherapy and photochemotherapy
• Counseling and support
• Surgery
• Cell transplantation technology 

If you are suspected of having vitiligo seek the immediate assistance of a physician for diagnosis and treatment.

Blog Reviwed By: Dr Harish Prasad

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