Vitiligo, also known as leukoderma, is a non-contagious skin condition characterized by chalky white patches of skin. These spots can be many or few; they may be tiny or cover the body. The spots normally appear on both sides of the person's body in approximately the same place and they do not itch or hurt. While vitiligo is not a serious or life-threatening disorder, it has an impact on the social and psychological well being of its victims. Many become embarrassed because of their impaired appearance, others experience a dramatic drop in their self-esteem.
The exact cause of vitiligo is not known. However, there are at least three theories about its underlying mechanism. One theory says nerve endings in the skin release a chemical that is toxic to the melanocytes – the cells that produce pigment molecules that give skin its colour. Vitiligo occurs when the immune cells start attacking and killing the melanocytes. As the melanocytes die, the skin turns white because it no longer has melanocytes making pigment or colour. A second theory states that the melanocytes simply self-destruct. The third explanation is that vitiligo is a type of autoimmune disease in which the immune system targets the body’s own cells and tissues. |
