Vitiligo Symptoms

How do we recognize vitiligo?

        There are several factors involved in the genesis of vitiligo:
Heredity in vitiligo is observed in approximately 1 of 3 of the cases. A history of vitiligo in the family and a gene is probably involved in susceptibility to develop vitiligo. Autoimmunity plays a role in vitiligo. The immune system allows the body to defend itself against the hostile elements of the environment (germs, viruses ...). Self-immunity is a reaction of immunity of a subject against himself. Vitiligo is sometimes associated with autoimmune diseases. The Koebner phenomenon is the worsening of a skin disease where it undergoes trauma. There seems to be a Koebner phenomenon in vitiligo since observes indeed a preferential distribution of vitiligo on areas with frequent micro-trauma (friction, support ...): hands, elbows, a part of the face frequently manipulated by the patient ...

Persons at risk

• Persons suffering from another disease of autoimmune origin. For example, be suffering from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism (in the form auto-immune), the pelade of Addison's disease, pernicious anemia or diabetes type 1 increases the susceptibility to vitiligo. In 30% of cases, vitiligo is associated with a disorder of the thyroid gland.
• People who have a family history of vitiligo (observed in approximately 30% of cases).
• Wounds, cuts, severe sunburn or contact with chemicals (phenols used in photography or in hair dyes) may cause vitiligo in the place affected;
• A great emotional shock or stress may be involved in developing vitiligo.

        Psychological support is very important. First, the disfigurement is often very bad experience because of social impact. In fact the eyes of others, even their rejection are very difficult to live. Similarly, the psychological impact may be important in a young woman or the black or brown issue where the contrast with the skin is very important. In some communities vitiligo is equated with leprosy, for example.

       People must have the opportunity to speak to express their feelings about the disease.