Causes Of Vitiligo: Why It Appears And How To Eliminate It
The scientific or medical name for this disease is leucoderma and it can affect numerous parts of the body. It is a disorder that causes a change in the color of the skin, causing spots or lack of pigmentation. Do you want to know what are the causes of Vitiligo and how to eliminate it? Read on to learn more.
What are the causes of vitiligo
Vitiligo or leucoderma is a degenerative skin problem that occurs when melanocytes (cells that are responsible for giving the skin pigments) die. This causes an absence of melanin production (which gives color to the dermis) and, therefore, spots or areas devoid of pigmentation.
The skin will have areas with a lighter color and depending on the natural tone of the person you will notice more or less. In this way, those with dark skin will have pinkish spots and those with light skin will have white marks.
The spots usually have a circular shape and different sizes and contrast with the color of the skin. The edges are defined, but if they combine with other signs of depigmentation they take on indefinite shapes.
The areas in which vitiligo appears most frequently are the hands, feet, knees, elbows and face. In rarer cases it can occur on the genitals, back, torso, thighs and arms. It affects men and women equally and if there is hair in the affected area, it turns white.
Leukoderma is not a contagious or serious disease, but it is good to keep it under control and observe the changes that occur. Vitiligo sufferers often suffer from psychological problems due to feelings of shame, depression, lack of self-esteem, shyness, etc. Especially in dark-skinned people this pathology is considered highly unsightly.
Why does vitiligo appear?
Science is not yet able to define the causes of the appearance of vitiligo. However, some relationships or triggers of this disease have been found. We can identify some causes of Vitiligo.
Problems with the immune system
Disorders of the body’s defenses, stress, an immunosuppressive disease or an intervention, for example, can hinder the formation of some antibodies and, at the same time, favor the proliferation of others that act against melatonin- producing cells .
It is also said that a person can suffer from vitiligo as a result of severe grief (the death of a loved one, the separation of parents, loss of job, etc.) or when they are going through a time of high stress, anxiety and nervousness .
Hereditary causes
It has not yet been verified, but there are some people who suffer from Vitiligo such as parents or grandparents. However, there are few patients who have antecedents of leucoderma or cases of skin depigmentation in their family tree.
Neuro-degenerative factors
The relationship between vitiligo and neurotransmitters is being investigated. It is estimated that there are some factors that alter the production of melanin-generating cells. Among the causes of this alteration we find:
- Stress
- Malfunction of the thyroid gland
- Hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause )
- Disorders due to other diseases (diabetes mellitus, Addison’s disease, pernicious anemia)
- Wounds
Remedies to treat vitiligo
For the time being, the medical treatments that are prescribed to people with leucoderma are expensive, ineffective and take a long time to show the first effects. For this reason, most patients leave treatment after a few weeks or months.
There are also therapies to restore skin pigmentation, but they are very invasive, painful, expensive and there are not many qualified professionals. In some cases, a skin graft can be achieved.
Medicines are also used to promote the production of melanin, such as corticoids and psoralens, which have secondary effects on patients.
There are several natural remedies that can improve appearance even when the causes of Vitiligo are not understood. These are:
Evening primrose oil
In health food stores and health food stores you can buy capsules of this oil in concentrations of 500 mg.
Aloe vera
The properties for the skin possessed by aloe vera are well known . All you have to do is open a leaf of the plant lengthwise, extract the gel and pass it on the areas affected by vitiligo; every day before going to sleep.
Protection factor
This is not a remedy to eliminate vitiligo, but a way to not make the situation worse. Remember that the affected area has no natural pigment barriers and, therefore, UV rays are even more harmful. To avoid severe sunburn, never leave the house without putting a good amount of sunscreen (at least 40) on the depigmented area.
Good habits
Among the changes in habits to avoid a worsening of vitiligo can not miss the reduction of stress levels, since nowadays it is the cause of most ailments and diseases, including vitiligo. It is also good to use clothing that protects the affected areas, not to expose yourself to the sun at noon, especially in summer, and to use hats or handkerchiefs.
