You may have seen popular model, Winnie Harlow, on America’s Next Top Model or on the covers of Elle, Glamour, or Marie Claire.  Winnie has a medical condition known as vitiligo, which causes the skin to lose its color. Winnie has made history as a vastly successful model with this condition, but what is vitiligo, really?

Individuals with vitiligo may see only spots that lose their color or turn completely white, while others may have large areas affected by color loss. Their original skin color may return eventually, but for some it can be permanent if it is not treated. Vitiligo can affect all ages and races, but about half of those with vitiligo developed the condition by the age of 20. In terms of genetics, about 20% of individuals with vitiligo have a blood relative with the condition as well.

What causes vitiligo? Vitiligo develops when cells called “melanocytes,” the cells that give our skin and hair its color, die off. However, there is not any concrete evidence as to why these cells die. Though we do not yet know the cause, science has ruled out the possibility of vitiligo being contagious.

The most common type of vitiligo is generalized vitiligo. Scientists believe that generalized vitiligo may be an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases develop when our bodies mistake something inside of us as foreign, and therefore attacks it. Scientists believe it is possible that those with vitiligo have had their melanocytes mistakenly identified as foreign by their bodies and, therefore, attacked and killed thus causing the color loss.

In addition to being the most common type of vitiligo, generalized vitiligo has other defining traits as well. The skin will usually lose its pigment equally on both sides of the patient’s body with generalized vitiligo. The areas affected typically can include the arms, legs, hands, fingertips, feet, and around the eye and mouth. Color loss may be rapid at the beginning of the symptoms and will likely be followed by a time period of little to no color loss.

There are other types of vitiligo besides generalized vitiligo. Localized vitiligo, sometimes called segmental vitiligo, causes color loss on one area of the skin. This includes any hair follicles located in that area. Patients with localized vitiligo will often show a bit of hair on the head, an eyelash, or even an eyebrow that turns white. This color loss will often occur for 1-2 years and then stop. There is also acrofacial vitiligo, wherein the color loss is only present on the head, hands, and feet. And finally, we have universal vitiligo which is defined as color loss on most of the patient’s body.

If someone believes they have vitiligo, they should visit a dermatologist. Their dermatologist will examine their medical history as well as their skin. Occasionally the doctor will want to run a medical test, wherein they will remove a very small amount of the affected skin and run what is called a biopsy. However, the diagnosis of vitiligo is most commonly made without a skin biopsy.  If the patient does have vitiligo, it may be recommended that blood tests are run to scan for the possibility of other autoimmune diseases.

Grab Dr. Candrice’s audio guide for expert secrets to achieving flawless and healthy skin.  

Don’t forget to connect with me, Dr. Candrice, your favorite, fun, board-certified dermatologist, your go-to girl for everything healthy hair, skin and nails.

See you in social media land!

https://Periscope.tv/drcandriceheath

www.facebook.com/drcandriceheath

http://instagram.com/drcandriceheath

https://twitter.com/drcandriceheath