What is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo (vit-ih-LIE-go) is a disease that causes loss of skin or hair colour in patches. The discoloured patches usually get bigger with time.
What causes Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is caused by the lack of a pigment called Melanin in the skin. Melanin is produced by skin cells called Melanocytes, and it gives your skin its natural colour. In Vitiligo, there are not enough working Melanocytes to produce enough Melanin in your skin. This causes the white patches.
Is Vitiligo a serious disease?
Vitiligo does not pose a serious threat to one’s health, but it can result in physical complications, such as eye issues, hearing problems, and sunburn. People with Vitiligo also tend to be more likely to have at least one other autoimmune disease like Thyroid disorders and some types of Anaemia.
At what age can Vitiligo start?
Vitiligo can start at any age, but most commonly shows up before the age of 30. Depending on the type of Vitiligo one has, it may affect nearly all skin surfaces. This type of Vitiligo is called Universal Vitiligo.
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