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Vitiligo skin problem causes and symptoms

I have white mark on leg since 4 to 5 years. Recently I noticed there are two more white marks. There is no itching on the white marks. Can you please tell the reason?
( 5 Aug 2009)

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It is difficult to say what these white marks are without actually examining them. Since there seems to be no itch, and there aren't even any other symptoms, there is a chance that you are developing vitiligo. This condition, also known as leukoderma, is rather harmless, but involves a loss of skin pigment. As you know, your skin gets its color from the natural pigment called melanin. Melanin is produced by special skin cells called melanocytes, and the amount of melanin that these cells produce is determined by your genes. People who have more melanin have dark skin, and people with little or no melanin have light skin. It is not clear exactly why, but in some people, the melanocytes either die or stop functioning. As a result, melanin production stops, and the skin loses its color, turning completely white, or rather colorless. The process is gradual - it usually begins at the extremities, such as the fingers and toes, and at body orifices, such as the mouth and nostrils. In some cases, the patches will gradually spread till pigmentation is lost all over the body. In other cases, the patches will appear and then remain static, or they may spread a bit, and then stay static.

In either case, this is the main symptom of vitiligo - no other physical symptoms exist. Psychological symptoms such as depression may appear, but this is a product of the person's attitude and social environment, rather than of vitiligo itself. People with vitiligo may develop low self esteem, and this can be worsened if there is no support from family and friends. This is very important, as the condition itself is extremely mild, and can be quite easily managed, even if it cannot be cured.

The main thing you need to do if you have vitiligo is to avoid excessive exposure to sunlight. Since the affected areas of skin have no melanin to block sunlight, they can be easily sunburned. At the same time, you should remember that in some cases, mild, regular exposure to sunlight seems to help melanocytes to regenerate and start functioning again. On the other hand, if you naturally have very light skin, avoiding sunlight can lighten the color of your healthy skin so that the contrast against the affected areas is not so noticeable. The only herbal remedy for vitiligo is the extract of a plant called gingko biloba, however this can have some repercussions, and it is better to take it only under medical supervision. In any case, you need to confirm this diagnosis with a doctor, so you should make an appointment with a skin specialist at the earliest.

answered by G S on 5 Aug 2009, 5:03:27

 

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