Family Member and Symptoms

Vitiligo is a skin condition characterized by loss of pigmentation in blotches. The cause of vitiligo is the death of melanocytes, the cells that are responsible for producing melanin. According to the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS, 2014), the cause of vitiligo remains unknown. There is some speculation that vitiligo is an autoimmune system disorder, but the condition may also be caused by genetics (NIAMS, 2014). According to the American Academy of Dermatology (2017), the vitiligo is correlated with autoimmune diseases, and a person is at a higher risk for vitiligo if a family member also has the condition. Exposure to the sun may also be an issue, as the skin areas affected by vitiligo tend to be those that are most exposed such as hands and face.

The primary signs of the disease are visible. The most noticeable symptom is loss of skin pigmentation on different parts of the body. There are many different manifestations of vitiligo, which can even affect hair pigmentation, the inside of the mouth, or even the iris of the eye (American Academy of Dermatology, 2017). The symptoms are primarily cosmetic, with no known related issues. For example, there is no pain associated with vitiligo. However, vitiligo is highly visible especially in people with dark skin, and can cause psychological and social symptoms. Therefore, people who have vitiligo might develop social anxiety or low self-esteem and the condition can therefore be considered "life altering," (American Academy of Dermatology, 2017).

Treatments include topical medications, cosmetics, laser light treatments, PUVA light therapy, surgery, and depigmentation. Topical medications include corticosteroids and topical Vitamin D. In dark-skinned people, the topical treatments can restore pigmentation (American Academy of Dermatology, 2017). The type of treatment recommended depends on the individual, his or her skin tone, the location of the pigment loss, and several other factors. The excimer laser has been known to be effective in about 70% of vitiligo patients, but the results may not be permanent (American Academy of Dermatology, 2017). Surgery can also be effective for up to 95% of patients, but surgery is not recommended for everyone due to the potential to develop scarring and other problems (American Academy of Dermatology, 2017). Surgery might entail grafting of the person's own skin tissue (NIAMS, 2014).

There is no actual cure, but vitiligo can be controlled and its symptoms managed by wearing sunscreen and avoiding sun exposure, as sun exposure can cause new pigment loss (American Academy of Dermatology, 2017). Tattoos are not recommended for people with vitiligo, as the process can actually trigger pigment loss (American Academy of Dermatology 2017). Vitiligo is not necessarily progressive, but everyone's symptoms appear differently with some people more rapidly losing pigment than others.