Vitiligo Patches
By Jenny Maria
Vitiligo patches are a characteristic sign of Vitiligo. These patches appear on skin where melanocytes (melanin producing cells present in skin) are either destroyed or rendered dysfunctional by autoimmune disease, genetic disorder, oxidative stress etc. As a result of which melanin i.e. the pigment is either not produced or secreted in very small amount and patches of depigmentation appear on skin.
Most of the patients with Vitiligo develop patches in teenage years of their life however it can occur at any age. Vitiligo affects 1 - 2% of the world population. It is not limited to any gender or race. Exactly how melanocytes stop functioning is yet unknown to science which poses a major hurdle in developing a cure for Vitiligo.
In order to understand the nature of Vitiligo patches, the following types of Vitiligo, based on the appearance, spread and location of patches must first be understood.
1. Non-Segmental Vitiligo:
• Appears at any age
• Patches are symmetrically distributed
• New patches may appear throughout life
• Non-Segmental Vitiligo may be generalized or localized
a) Generalized Non-Segmental Vitiligo:
Depigmentation patches are widely distributed. Vitiligo universalis is a condition where Vitiligo is so widespread that only a few normally pigmented patches remain on skin.
b) Localized Non-Segmental Vitiligo:
Vitiligo patches remain localized to a certain part of the body
• Acrofacial Vitiligo lesions; Lesions are present and limited to facial area especially around orifices.
• Focal Vitiligo lesions; Lesions are limited in quantity and locations. It may develop in Generalized Vitiligo.
• Appears at any age
• Patches are symmetrically distributed
• New patches may appear throughout life
• Non-Segmental Vitiligo may be generalized or localized
a) Generalized Non-Segmental Vitiligo:
Depigmentation patches are widely distributed. Vitiligo universalis is a condition where Vitiligo is so widespread that only a few normally pigmented patches remain on skin.
b) Localized Non-Segmental Vitiligo:
Vitiligo patches remain localized to a certain part of the body
• Acrofacial Vitiligo lesions; Lesions are present and limited to facial area especially around orifices.
• Focal Vitiligo lesions; Lesions are limited in quantity and locations. It may develop in Generalized Vitiligo.
2. Segmental Vitiligo:
• Early onset
• Rapid spread
• Lesions stop developing within two years of onset
• Lesions persist throughout life if not treated
• Lesions respond to topical therapy
• Early onset
• Rapid spread
• Lesions stop developing within two years of onset
• Lesions persist throughout life if not treated
• Lesions respond to topical therapy
A few other types include;
1. Childhood Vitiligo:
Non - Segmental Vitiligo patches are prevalent.
Non - Segmental Vitiligo patches are prevalent.
2. Trichome Vitiligo:
In addition to normal skin, hypopigmented patches are present
In addition to normal skin, hypopigmented patches are present
3. Quadrachrome patches:
Characterized by a presence of hyperpigmented band
Characterized by a presence of hyperpigmented band
4. Blue Vitiligo:
Characterized by the presence of Vitiligo macules.
Characterized by the presence of Vitiligo macules.
Since science has no cure for Vitiligo, the main concern of Vitiligo patients has been reduced to concealing and preventing the spread of patches. It is not possible to determine whether or not the patches will spread. For some people the patches spread, for some they do not. Similarly the rate of spreading is hard to determine. For some patients patches appear quickly and rapidly and for others it may take months before a new patch of depigmentation appears.
The patches normally appear in armpits, groin, around body orifices, hands, arms. Body surfaces exposed to sun are more common places of Vitiligo patches.
A typical Vitiligo patch is known as a Trichome having 3 zones of color;
• White center
• Zone of less severe depigmentation surrounding the center
• Zone of native skin surrounding the lesion
• White center
• Zone of less severe depigmentation surrounding the center
• Zone of native skin surrounding the lesion
Although Vitiligo cannot be cured, the white patches can be gotten rid of by a number of available remedies. Available are the following remedies;
• Topical steroidal Therapy
• Homeopathic Therapy
• Ayurvedic Therapy
• Herbal Therapy
• Surgical Therapy
• Topical steroidal Therapy
• Homeopathic Therapy
• Ayurvedic Therapy
• Herbal Therapy
• Surgical Therapy
For more information about Vitiligo Patches
Vitiligo patches are a characteristic sign of Vitiligo ( http://www.curevitiligooil.com/Vitiligo.html ). These patches appear on skin where melanocytes (melanin producing cells present in skin) are either destroyed or rendered dysfunctional by autoimmune disease, genetic disorder, oxidative stress etc. As a result of which melanin i.e. the pigment is either not produced or secreted in very small amount and patches of depigmentation appear on skin.
