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What is Vitiligo?VitiligoThese lectures are not meant to replace your physician and are simply provided as a free educational service to all our visitors. If you feel that you have a skin problem, please see your doctor. Vitiligo is a common dermatologic skin disorder. It is characterized by loss of skin pigment and thus "white patches" on the skin. Typically, there are no symptoms surrounding these skin findings. Thus, the most bothersome aspect of vitiligo is the cosmetic appearance. In some individuals, this can be quite distressing and disfiguring. Vitiligo is considered an autoimmune disorder. It can be inherited or acquired. The exact cause is unknown but genetics is probably the most common. Occasionally, it can be associated with other autoimmune disorders. Autoimmune disorders are those disorders that result from one's own cells attacking themselves. In other words, in vitiligo, antibodies may attack the cells responsible for pigment in the skin. Other occasionally associated disorders with vitiligo include thyroid disorders, pernicious anemia and rarely, myasthenia gravis. Treatment includes liberal use of sunscreen as this area is more susceptible to sunburns and injury due to the absence of tanning cells. Dermatologist evaluation is necessary to rule out associated disorders and consider treatment such as topical steroids or special light treatment called PUVA. Unfortunately, no treatment is consistently effective and side effects may occur. Experimental therapies with grafting of pigment producing cells has been shown to be effective, though this treatment may not be practical in most cases. The most helpful way to treat vitiltigo is with cosmetic cover ups. The best product on the market is Dermablend cosmetics. These products have been recommended by dermatologists for many years because they are easy to apply and are excellent for matching skin tones to hide pigment irregularities. Dermablend is available at SkinStore.com
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