Vitiligo

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vitiligo

[‚vid·əl‚ī·gō]
(medicine)
A skin disease characterized by an acquired ochromia in areas of various sizes and shapes.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Vitiligo

 

a pigmentation disorder manifested by the disappearance of normal pigment from patches of skin. The cause is unknown. It usually starts in youth (more often in females) with the appearance of white spots of different sizes and shapes on unchanged skin. The spots gradually enlarge and coalesce, forming extensive milky-white patches. The hairs on the affected areas turn gray. Foci of vitiligo may occur anywhere on the skin. The affected individuals experience no internal sensations. Treatment consists in using drugs that increase the sensitivity of skin to ultraviolet rays and then exposing the skin to these rays.

The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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VITILIGO is sometimes seen in people with other conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, pernicious anaemia and alopecia.
What can happen is that one family member may have a thyroid problem and another may have vitiligo, so don't be surprised if your doctor asks you if anyone in the family has any of these diseases.
Dr Miriam: Why Jacko's covering up
As vitiligo skin is particularly vulnerable to sunlight and needs protection, you can get some types of sunblock on prescription from your doctor.
YOUR PROBLEMS: I long to patch up my skin trouble
It can be used on men and women to cover vitiligo, birthmarks, tattoos, burns and scarring.
Vitiligo may also be triggered by physical or emotional stress, or skin damage, such as severe sunburn or cuts.
'VITILIGO TOOK MY OLD FACE AWAY - NOW A LIQUID "SECOND SKIN" HAS GIVEN IT BACK' MICROSKIN: THE LOW-DOWN; Asha Saleh, 49, from Cardiff, is one of the first in the UK to try Microskin, an artificial skin that covers pigmentation, birthmarks, tattoos and scarring for up to a week
Vitiligo is quite a common condition which makes the skin, and sometimes the hair, turn white in patches and probably is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues.
Some treatments can re-pigment the skin, however, there's nothing that can prevent vitiligo returning.
Role model for those with a skin disorder

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