Vitiligo, what is it?

bloguerouniversal

· 14 Apr 2022

Vitiligo, what is it?

#health

It is an acquired, chronic, autoimmune skin disease, characterized by the appearance of areas of depigmentation. The lesions can be of any shape and size and can affect any part of the skin and also mucous membranes. Shown as spots of a lighter color than normal as a result of the destruction of melanocytes of the epidermis. It is a very common problem, affecting almost 3% of the population; it is somewhat more common in women than in men, but it shows no preference for any race. It can begin at any age, although in more than 90% of cases it occurs before the age of 40.

The clinic of vitiligo is very striking, its characteristic symptom being that light-colored spots become visible, which are usually symmetrical and begin around body orifices (mouth, anus), armpits, around the nails, genitals, breast areolas, and in areas where the bones are prominent (such as elbows and knees). It can also affect the eyes and mucosa of the nose and mouth, although these locations are much less frequent.

Most of the time vitiligo does not produce any symptoms as such, but some people describe some degree of itching over these lesions. Spots usually appear in situations of stress, emotional tension, from localized trauma, or from burns (especially sun). The hair in these areas is initially dark and later turns white.

It is associated with a certain frequency of hearing impairments, up to 20%, and around 40% may also present changes in the eyes due to secondary involvement of the melanocytes found here.

Comments (2)
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Freli

2 years ago

That is to say that more sector of the population usually seems like this, the truth is I didn't know it to a like that, it is something that usually affects people more because of how they feel about it.

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