Is vitiligo caused by the sun?

The Sun as a Catalyst

Vitiligo is activated from sun exposure in childhood, when the pigment-producing cells, melanocytes, are destroyed. This depigmentation of the skin results in spots and patches of very pale skin, in contrast to the normal skin shade of the individual.

Can sunlight trigger vitiligo?

While the official cause of vitiligo isn't known, some doctors theorize that sunburn could be a trigger. Having vtiligo does make you more vulnerable to sunburn, however. Exposing skin to sunlight produces the pigment melanin, which protects skin from ultraviolet light.

What is the main cause of vitiligo?

Vitiligo is caused by the lack of a pigment called melanin in the skin. Melanin is produced by skin cells called melanocytes, and it gives your skin its colour. In vitiligo, there are not enough working melanocytes to produce enough melanin in your skin. This causes white patches to develop on your skin or hair.

Does being in the sun make vitiligo worse?

Vitiligo does not get worse with sun exposure, but it can increase the risk of other problems, making it vital that patients pay close attention to the time spent outdoors and exposure to UVA and UVB rays.

Is sun exposure good for vitiligo?

Protection from the sun

You must protect your skin from the sun and do not use sunbeds. When skin is exposed to sunlight, it produces a pigment called melanin to help protect it from ultraviolet (UV) light. However, if you have vitiligo there is not enough melanin in your skin, so it is not protected.

How can one prevent spreading of vitiligo? - Dr. Nischal K

Does sun Speed Up vitiligo?

The Sun as a Catalyst

Vitiligo is activated from sun exposure in childhood, when the pigment-producing cells, melanocytes, are destroyed. This depigmentation of the skin results in spots and patches of very pale skin, in contrast to the normal skin shade of the individual.

Can vitiligo disappear by itself?

In 1 out of every 5 to 10 people, some or all of the pigment eventually returns on its own and the white patches disappear. For most people, however, the whitened skin patches last and grow larger if vitiligo is not treated. Vitiligo is a lifelong condition.

Does vitamin B12 help vitiligo?

The spread of vitiligo stopped in 64% of the patients after treatment. Folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation combined with sun exposure can induce repigmentation better than either the vitamins or sun exposure alone. Treatment should continue as long as the white areas continue to repigment.

Can I reverse vitiligo?

No treatments can cure vitiligo. For most people, the goal of treatment is to stop vitiligo from spreading and to bring color back to affected areas of skin. The existing treatments can help, but it is rare for them to make vitiligo go away permanently.

How can I restore melanin in my skin?

You get vitamin A from the food you eat, especially vegetables that contain beta carotene, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and peas. Since vitamin A also functions as an antioxidant, some researchers believe this vitamin, more than any other, may be the key to melanin production.

Who is more prone to vitiligo?

Vitiligo affects all races and genders equally; however, it is more visible in people with darker skin. Although vitiligo can develop in anyone at any age, it most commonly appears in people ages 10 to 30 years. Vitiligo rarely appears in the very young or very old.

When does vitiligo usually start?

Anyone can get vitiligo, and it can develop at any age. However, for many people with vitiligo, the white patches begin to appear before age 20, and can start in early childhood.

What can be mistaken for vitiligo?

Sometimes, vitiligo is mistaken for albinism, a group of inherited skin disorders that result in little or no pigment in a person's skin, eyes, and hair.

How can I protect my vitiligo from sun?

Appropriate strength: Use waterproof, broad-spectrum (protecting against both UVA and UVB rays) products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Proper application: Apply sunscreen fully to any exposed areas at least 15 minutes before any exposure to sunlight (even on overcast days).

What are vitiligo thoughts?

Vitiligo is generally thought to be an autoimmune disease, in which a person's immune system mistakenly attacks its own body (in this case, it attacks melanocytes).

What famous person has vitiligo?

1. Winnie Harlow. Winnie Harlow is undoubtedly the modern face of vitiligo. The young model has chosen to embrace her spots, and is a public spokesperson for vitiligo, too.

Can vitamin D reverse vitiligo?

One study suggests that a high-dose vitamin D therapy may be safe and effective in reducing vitiligo activity. Sixteen patients with mostly darker skin type were given 35,000 IU daily for six months, combined with restriction of dairy products and calcium-enriched foods, and minimum hydration of 2.5 L daily.

Which food causes vitiligo?

It is a visible result of epidermal melanin (skin pigment) loss. Myth 2: Consumption of certain foods causes vitiligo. Fact: No. Over many years, a lot of people have believed that eating white coloured food items or sour foods like citrus; or drinking milk shortly after eating fish causes vitiligo.

Which diet is best for vitiligo?

Black/Red gram or Desi-chana (Chickpeas), Black dates, Red Radish, Beetroot and Carrot are helpful in Vitiligo and considered as Vitiligo diet. These are seen helpful in pigmentation process and helpful in coverage of white patches.

Does vitiligo ever stop progressing?

Phototherapy with narrow band ultraviolet B (UVB) has been shown to stop or slow the progression of active vitiligo. It might be more effective when used with corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. You'll need therapy two to three times a week.

Can vitiligo be cancerous?

Vitiligo is believed to be an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys melanin (pigment). That creates white patches of skin. Immunotherapy for skin cancer may help cause vitiligo. However, despite the increased sunburn risk, vitiligo doesn't appear to cause skin cancer.

At what age is a person more likely to acquire vitiligo?

Vitiligo can start at any age, but usually appears before age 30. Depending on the type of vitiligo you have, it may affect: Nearly all skin surfaces. With this type, called universal vitiligo, the discoloration affects nearly all skin surfaces.

Are all white patches vitiligo?

Hypopigmented spots that are NOT vitiligo. If the spots are not truly white, but hypopigmented and not depigmented (they don't enhance by Wood's lamp), then they are NOT vitiligo and could be any number of different diseases and conditions. I'll list a few of the most common ones here.

Can blood test detect vitiligo?

Diagnostic Tools

Our dermatologists often diagnose vitiligo based solely on a physical examination. If doctors need more information about how the condition affects your skin cells, they may suggest a skin biopsy or blood test.

Is vitiligo viral or bacterial?

Vitiligo may be an example of an autoimmune disease triggered by viral infection in a genetically predisposed host.