What is Vitiligo

Vitiligo is one of the common skin diseases in the world and is defined specifically as the disappearance of the natural color of the skin in the form of clear white spots in the skin, and it may be inclusive of the whole body as it may be in one place. 

The spots that make up vitiligo are formed due to the loss of colored cells that produce melanin, which is found primarily naturally in the skin, hair follicles, mouth (i.e. lips), eyes (eye color) and some parts of the central nervous system. The quantity and quality of melanin cells is the determining factor for color.  Skin, hair and eyes that distinguish people from each other.

 Vitiligo is a pigmentary disorder that results from the breakdown of melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin, mucous membranes (the tissues that line the inside of the mouth, nose, and genital and excretory areas), and the retina (the inner layer of the eyeball).  As a result of the breakdown of these cells, white patches appear on different parts of the skin on the body.  Even the hair that grows in the affected areas usually turns white

The exact cause of vitiligo is not known yet, but the combination of important factors such as immune, genetic and neurological factors may cause most cases in a strong way.

 Most of the patients mentioned the onset of vitiligo after severe sunburn, and others related their onset of the disease to a psychological or emotional problem they had experienced, such as after the death of a loved one, divorce, a tragic car accident, or other human tragedies.

 As for the current common belief that vitiligo patients have colored cells that have a natural genetic predisposition to fade and disappear, and that this disappearance occurs by a purely neurological immune mechanism.

 The cause of vitiligo is not known, but doctors and researchers have several different theories.  One theory is that infected individuals developed antibodies that destroy melanoma cells in their bodies.  Another theory says that Alqtamenah cells destroy themselves.  Finally, some medical reports mentioned that conditions such as sunburn or emotional crises cause vitiligo;  However, these reports have not been scientifically proven.

Individuals who develop vitiligo will usually notice white patches (depigmentation) on the skin.  These patches are most common on parts of the body exposed to the sun, such as the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips.  Other areas where vitiligo appears are the armpits and around the mouth, eyes, navel, and genitals.

 In addition to white patches of skin, affected individuals may experience premature graying of scalp hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, and beard.  Dark-skinned individuals may notice a loss of color inside their mouths.

Although vitiligo is not considered a contagious disease, the suffering of vitiligo patients does not end. Since the disease is diagnosed and the cause of the health problem is known, the treatment journey begins, and another journey begins with people’s looks, bullying, whispers and painful comments in many cases, for fear of infection being transmitted to them.

  Although the disease is not contagious, many people with vitiligo are isolated from the world, whether by the decision of those around them or by themselves.  And there are those who decide to confront and draw from the spots scattered throughout the body the momentum, to complete the road that may not know its end in an attempt to treat the white creeper, and the social stigma at the same time. At the same time.