Preventing the Spread of Vitiligo: A blog about the best ways to prevent the spread of vitiligo.
Vitiligo is a rare skin disorder in which blotches of the skin lose their color, turning white. It may appear as if you have been splashed with paint. The condition affects people of all races, although it is more noticeable in dark-skinned people. The hair that grows in areas affected by vitiligo sometimes turns white.
Vitiligo usually appears in one of three patterns:
1. Segmental or focal pattern: This pattern usually develops before age 20 and is more prevalent in women than men. It tends to be stable and limited to certain areas, such as one side of the body or around a joint.
2. Non-segmental or general pattern: This common type first appears before age 40 and frequently spreads to the entire body, including mucous membranes such as those that line your mouth and nose, and even your eyes and hair.
3. Mixed pattern: This is a combination of segmental and non-segmental patterns.
There are many things you can do to stop the spread of vitiligo.
Prevent the spread of vitiligo by avoiding sunburns. Sunburns can trigger vitiligo, or cause it to spread faster than it would otherwise. Always wear sunscreen and protective clothing when going out in the sun for long periods of time.
Prevent the spread of vitiligo by talking to your doctor about phototherapy. Phototherapy is a type of light treatment that can help prevent the spread of vitiligo, and even help restore skin color in some cases. You will need to go to your doctor regularly for this therapy.
Prevent the spread of vitiligo by applying creams like Elidel or Protopic. These creams, which are only available with a prescription, have been shown to be effective at preventing the spread of vitiligo and restoring skin color in some cases, especially in children.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, vitiligo affects about 5 million Americans. The condition causes patches of skin to lose pigmentation. Often, these patches form in areas that receive exposure to the sun, such as the face, arms and hands. Vitiligo can affect all ages and races, but it is more noticeable in individuals with darker skin tones.
Vitiligo often begins as a small patch of pale skin, which slowly expands over time. The rate at which it spreads varies from person to person. It may take years before it spreads across large areas of the body. In some cases, however, it may spread rapidly within just a few months.
The good news is that there are ways to slow down — or even stop — the spread of vitiligo. Below are three preventative measures you can take today to reduce the chances of your vitiligo spreading.
1 – Be Proactive About Sun Exposure
Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun has been shown to increase pigmentation loss in vitiligo patients. Because of this, UV light is one of the most common triggers for new vitiligo spots to form on the skin. When exposed to UV rays, these new spots will likely be more severe and
The spread of vitiligo may or may not be preventable. However, there are some things you can do to help slow down the process.
Skin Discoloration
Vitiligo is a condition in which white patches develop on the skin. The patches are caused by the lack of a pigment called melanin in the skin. Anything that causes injury to the skin may make vitiligo worse. Examples include sunburn, cuts, scrapes, and severe rashes such as poison ivy.
Exposure to Chemicals
Some chemicals can cause vitiligo to spread or become more noticeable. These include coal tar, creosote, phenol, psoralen or Psoralen Plus UVA (PUVA), and certain industrial chemicals such as those used in oil refining and rubber manufacturing.
Emotional Stress
Stress can cause vitiligo to spread or flare up again after it has been inactive for a while. Stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing, biofeedback, and exercise can help you feel better and reduce stress. Counseling also can be helpful if your emotions are affecting your health.
The Vitiligo Research Foundation is committed to providing you with the most up to date information on Vitiligo. We know that the more you learn about Vitiligo, the more empowered you will be to take control of your life.
Vitiligo is a skin pigmentation disorder in which patches of skin lose their color/pigment. This can happen anywhere on the body, but it usually appears first at joints, including the elbows and knees, wrists and ankles and around the eyes, mouth and nostrils.
Accordingly to Dr. John Harris of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, “People who have vitiligo try not to think about it. They don’t want to be noticed but it is hard for them not to be.”
Vitiligo is caused by several factors: genetics, environment, trauma (emotional or physical), immune system complications and self-rejection.
Vitiligo is typically diagnosed based on its appearance and pattern of spread, medical history and a physical examination. There are also several tests available such as blood tests, biopsies and Narrowband UVB to assist in diagnosis.
Vitiligo is a skin condition where white patches appear on different parts of the body. This can happen in different parts of the body including the hands and feet, armpits and groin, around the mouth, eyes and nostrils, navel and genital areas.
The cause of vitiligo is unknown but it may be an autoimmune disease. Vitiligo causes loss of skin pigment which results in white patches. Vitiligo is not contagious or life threatening. It can affect any part of the body but most commonly affects sun-exposed areas such as the hands and face.
Vitiligo can start at any age but usually starts between ages 10 and 30 years old. The progression of vitiligo is different for each person; some people may experience a rapid spread while others only have a few small areas affected over many years.
The main concern with vitiligo is appearance; people with vitiligo have trouble coping with their appearance due to white patches appearing all over their bodies or just in certain areas like on their face or hands which are visible to others. Some people also experience psychological distress because they feel self-conscious about how they look in public places like at school or work when wearing clothing that exposes the affected areas on their bodies