Causes of Vitiligo

A man once dubbed the "King of Pop" is now barely recognizable. Just what happened to the face of Michael Jackson? Surprisingly, Michael Jackson claimed his dramatic facial changes on Vitiligo. But what really is this mysterious skin disorder?

What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a common dermatologic skin disorder. It is characterized by a loss of skin pigment, which results in the appearance of "white patches" on the skin. Typically, there are no symptoms surrounding this skin condition. However, the most bothersome aspect of vitiligo is its cosmetic appearance. In some individuals, this can be quite distressing and even disfiguring.

Causes of Vitiligo

Vitiligo is considered an autoimmune disorder (a result of a person's own cells attacking one other) that can be inherited or acquired. The exact cause is unknown but genetics is the most likely suspect. Occasionally, it can be associated with other autoimmune disorders. In the case of vitiligo, antibodies may attack the cells responsible for pigment in the skin. Other occasionally associated disorders with vitiligo include thyroid disorders, pernicious anemia and rarely, myasthenia gravis.

Treatment for Vitiligo

Treatment for vitiligo includes liberal use of sunscreen, as this area is more susceptible to sunburns and injury due to the absence of tanning cells. Dermatological evaluation is also necessary to rule out associated disorders and consider treatment such as topical steroids or special light treatment called PUVA. Unfortunately, no treatment is consistently effective and side effects may occur.

Experimental therapies involving the grafting of pigment producing cells has been shown to be effective, though this treatment may not be practical in most cases.

The most helpful way to treat vitiltigo is with cosmetic cover up. The best product on the market is Dermablend cosmetics. These products have been recommended by dermatologists for years because they are easy to apply and are excellent for matching skin tones to hide pigment irregularities.

Source: www.skincare-news.com